to use him in a
few minutes."

"So you don't like the thought of being chucked into the hole, eh, my
yellow snake?" drawled Little Billy, strolling over to Ichi's resting
place. Despite his knowledge that the hunchback was acting, Martin
shuddered at his tones; his voice was vibrant with bitter hate. "But
it is not what you like this time, Ichi. It is what we like, what I
like, eh? You see this knife; you feel it when I prick your
throat--so? Well, it is old Sails' knife, Ichi, poor old Sails' knife.
Why not slit your lying throat with Sails' knife, like you slit Sails'
throat--if I like, eh? But I don't like, Ichi. That's too sweet a
finish for you. No, when we get ready we are going to cart you down to
the edge of that hole, and--over the edge you go!"

"Oh, please, please--oh, _prease_ Mr. Brake!" chattered Ichi. "You
come take him away. You not let him do it? Oh, Mr. Blake, a long time
I your friend; you helpful me I helpful you, I be your man. Not the
Deep Place, not the--_aiee-ee_," and his voice trailed off in a
dolorous howl as some freak of the draught caused the voice of the pit
to momentarily shriek.

"All right, Billy, on watch here. Let me talk to him now," said Martin.

He dragged Ichi closer to the window, so that daylight fell upon the
man's face. Then he sat down in front of him, and regarded him
narrowly.

Ichi was in a frenzy of mingled hope and fear. He gabbled half
incoherently his allegiance to his captor, his love for him, his
willingness to do this, that, anything--only, not the Deep
Place--_prease_! He was a pitiable object, could Martin have found
pity for him in his heart. He was no longer the suave, dapper Japanese
gentleman. His boasted gentility was gone with his courage; and
superstitious terror had quite overcome his Western skepticism. He was
just a yellow coolie, terror-stricken, cringing before and begging of
his master.

"Wild Bob has just come up on the poop. He's talking to the mate,"
called Little Billy.

"Good," said Martin. He unbuckled the strap from around Ichi's ankles,
and hoisted the man erect.

"Now, Ichi, you do what I say, and I promise you it won't be the Deep
Place. Indeed, I promise you your life, so far as I hold it--though
you don't deserve it. But if you don't do what I say----"

"Yis--oh, yes, please, I helpful you muchly," he promised, eagerly.

"Carew is at the taffrail," said Little Billy. "He's hailing the
beach--hailing I