. "You
are an American soldier, the best-drilled men in the world for
irregular service. You can understand that the longer I can keep those
fellows down there fighting, the more I will sell. Good! that is part
of my business. And the better they are drilled, the longer they will
keep it up. That is what I want you for--to help make that mob of rags
into an army. By God! you can do it, and I am willing to pay the
price."

I got up, and walked across the cabin, apparently struggling with
temptation, arguing the matter over with myself. In very truth,
however, there was little choice. Either I must coincide with his
desire, or be thrust helplessly back into my old quarters, under guard.
There was no mercy, no weakness, behind the smile with which he watched
me. The man was a tiger who would kill me with as little remorse as he
would brush a mosquito from his cheek. If I yielded, if I exhibited a
willingness to fit into his plans, well and good. But if I decided
otherwise the jaws of the trap would close. I did not care so much for
myself--it would be a pleasure to defy him--but the memory of the girl
was vivid. What would happen to her, alone on this lawless ship,
surrounded by the gang of wolves with which it was manned? The thought
sickened me. Even already I had imagined a gleam of lust in the eyes
of the fellow when he glanced covertly at her, and distrusted him as I
would a snake. And he was owner and captain, his word on board the
supreme law, even unto death. There was nothing left me but to agree
to his proposition, and thus purchase freedom. Yet I must not appear
too eager.

"I perceive your point," I said at last, facing him. "But what is
there in it for me?"

"A good round sum," he replied. "More than you ever made before, I
warrant, not excepting the promises made you in this Henley will case.
We 'll talk the details over later."

"Who is responsible for my pay?"

"See here, Craig, the case stands like this. The revolutionists down
there asked me to find them a competent drill-master, and they will pay
royally. They 've got the money, too, scads of it. There will be no
trouble on that score. Besides, I need a reliable man ashore to look
after shipments. We have to land our goods in a hurry, you understand,
at night, without checking up. I can afford to hand you something
pretty nice on the side to assure myself a square deal. I had a fellow
picked out for the berth--a retired