esertion. If
you tried it, you would almost certainly be retaken, and--the punishment
must follow. If, on the other hand, you escaped, it would be into the
savage country before you, where you would fall into the hands of some
enemy tribe, who would kill you both like dogs. I daresay you have
heard what takes place afterwards, when the Maori tribes have taken
prisoners?"

Jem shuddered, but Don made no sign.

"Ah! I see you know," continued the captain, "so I need say little
more. I am satisfied that you will neither of you be guilty of such an
act of madness as you contemplated, especially now that I tell you that
I stop at nothing which the law gives me power to do for the
preservation of the discipline of my ship. These two lads," he said,
turning to give an order, "will be placed in irons for the present."

He made a sign, and the two prisoners were taken below deck, and placed
in irons.

"Better than being hung, my lads," said the armourer gruffly; and soon
after they were alone, with a sentry on duty not far from where they
were seated.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

TOMATL'S PROMISE.

"Wonder whether Mike ever had a taste of this sort o' thing, Mas' Don,"
said Jem, after they had sat in silence some time, Don's face not
inviting any attempt at conversation. "He never said anything about
being in irons when he spun yarns about adventures."

"Jem!" said Don indignantly; and as if it only wanted his companion's
words to start him in a furious outburst of passion; "it is shameful!
It is a cruel indignity and disgrace."

"Hush, hush, my lad! Don't take it that way. They arn't so werry
heavy, and they don't hurt much."

"Hurt? Not hurt much? Why, they are treating us as if we were
thieves."

"What, being ironed, sir? Well, it do seem a bit hard."

"It's cruel! It's horrible! And he had no right to do it for such an
offence."

"Steady, my lad, steady. The sentry 'll hear you, and have his turn,
p'r'aps, at telling tales."

"But he had no right to do this, I say."

"P'r'aps not, Mas' Don; but skippers does just what they please when
they're out at sea in war time. I thought he was going to hang us
once."

"He would not dare," said Don.

"Well, if he did, I should have liked to have a few words first with Mr
Ramsden; for of all the mean, dirty, sneaking chaps I ever set eyes on,
he's about the worst."

"A mean, cowardly spy!" cried Don.

"Ah, that's it; so he is, Mas' Don; a mean, c