n according to his lights, my boy. But as I was saying, your
people make war against these people, and they generally act on the
defensive. Sometimes they retaliate. This time they have taken a
prisoner--you."

"Yes, hang them!" cried Hilary.

"No, no," laughed Sir Henry, "don't do that. No yardarm work, my boy.
You see we do not offer to hang you; on the contrary, I offer you a
comfortable happy life for a few months on parole."

"A few months!" cried Hilary.

"Perhaps a year or two. Now what do you say?"

"No!" cried Hilary quickly.

"Think, my boy. You will be kept a very close prisoner, and it will be
most unpleasant. We want to use you well."

"And you nearly smother me; you drag me here in a wretched donkey-cart;
and you nearly starve me to death."

"On chicken and wine," said Sir Henry smiling. "Come, Hilary, your
parole."

"No, Sir Henry," cried the young man, "I'll give no parole. I mean to
get away from here, and I warn you that as soon as I do I'll bring
brimstone and burn out this miserable wasps' nest; so get out of the
way."

"Then I must leave you to think it over, Hilary. There," he continued,
rising, "think about it. I'll come and see you this evening."

"Stop, Sir Henry," cried the young man, leaping up in turn; "this is an
outrage on an officer in the navy. In the king's name I order you to
set me at liberty."

"And in the king's name I refuse, Master Hilary."

"Then I shall take it," cried Hilary, making for the door, which he
reached and flung open, but only to find himself confronted by three
rough, sailor-looking fellows.

"You see," said Sir Henry smiling. "Allstone, take away that tray.
Good-bye for the present, Hilary. I will see you to-night."

He went out of the door, which was slammed to and locked, and Sir Henry
Norland said to himself:

"I like the lad, and it goes against me to make him break faith; but it
must be done. My cause is a greater one than his. Once on our side, he
could be of immense service. He will have to be won over somehow, poor
fellow. Let's see what a day or two's caging will do."

Meanwhile Hilary was angrily walking up and down his prison, wroth with
Sir Henry, with himself, and with fate, for placing him in such a
position, to ameliorate which he climbed up to the window-sill and gazed
out at the sunny meads.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

ANOTHER CRUISE ASHORE.

Lieutenant Lipscombe made up his mind half a dozen times over that h