pillory!"

"Aye!" I nodded, scowling at his dainty person. "And you're the one
that set me there!"

"'Tis a rogue ingrain!" said Sir Rupert, frowning in turn. "O a very
desperate fellow as you say, Master Adam, and like enough the murderer
we are a-seeking." Hereupon I laughed and was kicked (unseen) therefor
by Adam.

"My lady!" says he, turning where she stood hard by, "You have seen
this fellow, I think."

"Yes," says she readily. "And indeed, Cousin Rupert, I know more of
this--of him than you do, and very sure am I he is no murderer--nor
ever will be!" Here for a moment her glance rested on me, and meeting
that look I forgot my wounded vanity and degradation awhile.

"Sweet my lady," says Sir Rupert, "Your gentle woman's heart may not
brook scenes the like of this. Go seek thy tender pillow and leave
such to us of sterner mould."

"Nay, cousin, my gentle woman's heart knoweth innocence from guilt,
methinks, and here standeth innocent man, stowaway though he be."

"Why then as stowaway will I entreat him, fair cousin. Master
Penfeather, clap him in irons till the morning, away with him--nay, I
myself will see him safely lodged." Here, and without further parley,
I was led below, watched by the whole ship's company, and so to a
dismal place abaft the lazarette, where the armourer, Master Taffery,
duly locked me into the manacles (arm and leg) beneath the eyes of
Penfeather and Sir Rupert who, seeing me this secure, presently left me
to darkness and my solitary reflections.

Howbeit, after some while I heard the sound of key turning and Adam
re-entered bearing a light; having locked the door on us, he set down
the lanthorn on the floor and, seating himself on the bench whereto I
was shackled, falls into a passion of cursing both in English, Spanish
(and Indian for aught I know) for never had I heard the like words or
such deep fervour.

"Adam," says I (he being at a pause), "'tis hard to think you were ever
a student of divinity!"

Hereupon he glances at me from the corners of his eyes and shakes his
head:

"Your face is bloody, Martin, are ye hurt?"

"My belly's empty, Adam."

"Why, I guessed as much, shipmate, Godby's bringing ye the wherewithal
to fill it. In the meantime I'll free you o' your bilboes awhile,
though I must lock you up again that you may be found snug and secure
in the morning." So saying he took a key from his pocket and therewith
set me at liberty.

"Ah, Martin," quo