apers, as I
suggested to you just now," said the corsair in a politely peremptory
tone; and the captain, seeing no help for it, and no object to be gained
by opposing the wish of his captor, obeyed the veiled order, the two
descending to the cabin, where they remained some time, whether in
argument or in conference of course those who were on deck could not
guess, although both Tom and Charley would have bet their last sixpence
that the corsair did not get much voluntary information out of their
skipper.

STORY TWO, CHAPTER SIX.

A SELL FOR THE PIRATE.

Acting apparently under instructions previously given, the felucca,
after transferring a large portion of her men to the merchant ship,
proceeded some distance ahead of her, as if not to cause any suspicions
by her propinquity should any vessel pass by them in their passage
through the channel. But she still remained close enough to be
signalled by her commander should her nearer presence be needed.

When the pirate chief and Captain Harding returned on deck from their
visit below, Tom and Charley could see, from the fierce looks of the one
and the stolidly stubborn expression of the other, that their private
interview had not been of the most agreeable nature, and they soon
learned the reason.

"I have been deceived, duped, despoiled of my just dues," exclaimed the
corsair frantically, as he gained the deck, speaking in English as if
for the special benefit of the two lads and their unfortunate
fellow-countrymen; "and had it not been for my sacred word which I never
break once I have given it, overboard you should go, every one, with
your throats cut!"

"But," said Captain Harding, "we have not deceived you as to the value
of the ship and cargo. If anybody is to be blamed, you must look to
those agents and spies you employ who have misinformed you."

"Silence!" shouted out the other, foaming with passion. "You are a
miserable set of impostors, you English! How could I tell that a big
vessel like this would only be half-loaded with a lot of trumpery stuff
that's not worth the freight; and that her captain had hardly a piastre
to bless himself with? And yet you English people boast of your
wonderful wealth. I call it a scandalous imposition, wasting my time in
this way, and the lives of my men, for nothing."

And he stamped his feet in his rage as he walked to and fro.

Charley could hardly refrain from laughing at the pirate chief going on
in this w