Come round and open the door."

"What'll yer give me?"

"Anything I can," cried Archy eagerly.

"Well, you give me that little sword o' your'n."

"No; I can't part with that."

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed the boy jeeringly.

"But I'll--yes, I'll give you a guinea, if you will let me out."

"Guinea?" said the boy. "Think I'd do it for a guinea?"

"Well, then, two. Be quick, there's a good fellow. I want to get away
at once."

"Not you," said the boy jeeringly. "It would be a pity. I say, do you
know what you look like?"

"A fisher-boy."

"Not you. Only a sham. Why, your clothes don't fit you, and your cap's
put on all skew-rew. Don't look a bit like a fisher-lad, and never
will."

"Never mind about that; let me out of this place."

"What for?" cried Ram.

"Because I want my liberty."

"Not you. Looks comf'table enough as you are. I say, do you know what
you are like now?"

"I told you, a fisher-boy!" cried Archy impatiently, but trying not to
offend his visitor, who possessed the power of conferring freedom, by
speaking sharply.

"Not you. Look like a wild beast in a cage. Like a monkey."

"You insolent--"

Archy checked himself, and the boy laughed.

"It was your turn yesterday, it's mine to-day. What a game! You
laughed and fleered at me when I was on the cutter's deck. I can laugh
and fleer at you now. I say, you do look a rum 'un. Just like a big
monkey in a show."

"Look here, sir!" said Archy, losing his temper. "Gentlemen don't fight
with low, common fellows like you, but if you do not come round and let
me out, next time we meet I'll have a bit of rope's-end ready for you."

Ram showed his white teeth, as he burst out with a long, low fit of
laughter.

"You rope's-end me!" he said. "Why, I could tie you up in a knot, and
heave you off the cliff any day. What a game! Bit of a middy, fed on
salt tack and weevilly biscuit, talk of giving me rope's-end! Dressed
up with a dirty face and a bit o' canvas! Go back aboard, and put on
your uniform. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"Once more; will you come and let me out?"

"No. I'm going to keep you here till the gentlefolks get up, and then
I'll bring 'em round to see the monkey in his cage, just like they do in
the shows, when you pay a penny. See you for nothing, middy. I say,
where's your sword? Why don't you draw it, and come out and fight?
I'll fight you with a stick."

"You insolent young scoundrel!" cried Archy, darting