re
brave enough, there was none of them but knew of the strength and deeds
of the red Frisian giant, and half-starved as he was, feared to meet him
face to face. Moreover, he had a position of advantage, of that there
could be no doubt.

"Can I help you to land, friends?" said Martin, mocking them. "No, it is
no use looking right or left, the mud there is very deep."

"An arquebus, shoot him with an arquebus!" shouted the men in front; but
there was no such weapon in the boat, for the Spaniards, who had left in
a hurry, and without expecting to meet Red Martin, had nothing but their
swords and knives.

Ramiro considered a moment, for he saw that to attempt to storm this
little landing-place would cost many lives, even if it were possible.
Then he gave an order, "Back aboard." The men obeyed with alacrity. "Out
oars and up anchor!" he cried.

"He is clever," said Foy; "he knows that our boat must be somewhere, and
he is going to seek for it."

Martin nodded, and for the first time looked afraid. Then, as soon as
Ramiro had begun to row round the islet, leaving Martha to watch that
he did not return and rush the landing-stage, they crossed through the
reeds to the other side and climbed into their boat. Scarcely were they
there, when Ramiro and his men appeared, and a shout announced that they
were discovered.

On crept the Spaniards as near as they dared, that is to within a dozen
fathoms of them, and anchored, for they were afraid to run their own
heavy sailing cutter upon the mud lest they might be unable to get her
off again. Also, for evident reasons, being without firearms and knowing
the character of the defenders, they feared to make a direct attack. The
position was curious and threatened to be prolonged. At last Ramiro rose
and addressed them across the water.

"Gentlemen and lady of the enemy," he said, "for I think that I see my
little captive of the Red Mill among you, let us take counsel together.
We have both of us made this expedition for a purpose, have we
not--namely, to secure certain filthy lucre which, after all, would be
of slight value to dead men? Now, as you, or some of you, know, I am a
man opposed to violence; I wish to hurry the end of none, nor even
to inflict suffering, if it can be avoided. But there is money in the
question, to secure which I have already gone through a great deal of
inconvenience and anxiety, and, to be brief, that money I must have,
while you, on the other hand a