new it to be a lie. Nevertheless, I knew also that I was
powerless, and I made up my mind to act prudently.

"Senor," I replied, "as between you and me, I may as well tell you that
I do not believe a single word of what you have said. There has been
treachery--and it lies with you and my rascal cousin, Jasper Stapleton.
I have committed no crime against the laws, and I wish to be put ashore
at your earliest opportunity."

"You shall be obeyed, Master Salkeld," he replied, bowing low, but with
a mocking smile about his lips.

"Where do you first touch land?" I inquired.

"I have already told you, Master Salkeld. Somewhere in the West Indies."

"But you do not mean to carry me to the West Indies?" I cried. "Why,
'tis a journey of many thousands of miles!"

"Precisely. Nevertheless, you must undertake it. We touch no land until
we make Barbadoes or Martinique."

I said no more; it was useless. I was in the man's power. Nothing that I
could say or do would alter his purpose. There had been villainy and
treachery--and my cousin, Jasper Stapleton, had worked it. I
comprehended everything at that moment. I had been lured on board the
Spanish vessel and subsequently drugged, in order that Jasper might rid
himself of my presence. That was plainly to be seen. But what of the
future? The West Indies, I knew, were thousands of miles away. They were
in the hands of our hereditary enemies, the Spaniards. From them I
should receive scant mercy or consideration. I was penniless--for my
money had disappeared--and even if I had possessed money, what would it
have benefited me in a savage land like that to which I was being
carried? I might wait there many a long year without meeting with an
English ship. I turned to the Spaniard.

"So I am a prisoner, Senor,--your prisoner?"

"My ship and my goods are at your disposal, Senor," he replied.

"So long as I do not make any demands upon them, eh?"

"Say unreasonable demands, Master Salkeld. As a matter of fact you are
free to walk or stand, sit or lie, wake or sleep as you please. I
entertain you as I best can until we touch land--and then you go your
own way. You have made a contract with me, you have paid your money, and
now I have nothing to do but carry out my share of the bargain."

"And that is----?"

"To take you to the West Indies."

"Very good, Senor. Now we understand each other. You will perhaps not
object to my telling you, that when I next meet my cousin, Master J