cinations it will probably be
better for us to remain close prisoners."

Renouf laughed disdainfully. "I have no doubt," said he, "that such an
arrangement would suit you admirably, but it will not suit me. Now I
want you to understand me clearly. You and your `four fellow-
countrymen' are Frenchmen. Your clumsy attempt to pass yourselves off
as Englishmen does not deceive me for a moment, nor do I believe it has
really deceived that dolt Dumaresq, although he professes to have been
temporarily taken in by you. You are all Frenchmen, however; that fact
is indisputable. My brother here is as firmly convinced of it as I am;
and, as France just now stands in need of the services of all her sons,
it is my duty to see that you are made to serve her, willingly or
unwillingly. But let me recommend you to render your service willingly;
for if you do not it will be the worse for you. Now go on deck and turn
to. And observe, my fine fellow, you will do well to recommend your
`four fellow-countrymen', as you are pleased to term them, to commence
duty at once, and to behave themselves; for I learn that you have great
influence with them, and I shall hold you responsible for any
shortcomings on their part. Now, go!"

"Captain Renouf," answered I, "I have listened to you patiently, and I
understand that it is your intention to compel us five Englishmen to
serve on board this ship. You can only do this by force, sir, and I
warn you that if you dare to use force to either of us you shall suffer
for it. You are certain to be captured by an English ship sooner or
later, and the captain of that ship will not be slow to amply avenge any
violence you may be foolhardy enough to resort to in your determination
to compel five Englishmen to serve an enemy of their country."

"So!" he ejaculated, starting to his feet in a frenzy of passion. "You
dare me, do you, you insolent rascal? Very well. Let us see how far
your courage will carry you!"

He struck a hand-bell furiously, and shouted "Gaspar!"

A man, evidently the steward, promptly made his appearance at the cabin
door, and responded:

"Monsieur called?"

"I did," answered Renouf. "Go on deck and tell Pierre to bring three
men and some lashing down into the cabin."

The steward disappeared, and, as he did so, Renouf whipped a pistol out
of his belt and covered me with it.

"Now, Monsieur Englishman, since you insist upon being so considered,"
he said, "if you make