"Yes."
"Tie him to that tree."
It was done.
"Now listen," said Toro—for he it was who had given the command. "If Tomaso is not at liberty and here among us at noon, you shall die."
"I can not set him at liberty."
"You can do a great deal towards it. Unfasten one of his arms—his right arm."
Pike's right arm was then released, and, in obedience to Toro's command, a small table was placed close to him.
On this table were pens, ink and paper.
"Now write to your friend Harkaway, and tell him that unless Tomaso is released by noon, as I have told you, death is your doom."
So Pike wrote—