At this point Stubbs manifested a desire to leave the others in the lurch.
"Say!" he exclaimed. "You're not going to get me under there. How do you know what he may have in mind to do to us?"
"Come, Stubbs," said Hal. "Don't be a quitter all the time. Nothing is going to hurt—"
Before he could finish his sentence he felt himself seized in a powerful grip from behind. He twisted about with an effort and looked down upon the scowling face of Nikol.
"Here! What's the matter?" he cried.
The dwarf grinned at him evilly, and still retaining his hold, gazed at Stubbs.
"He insulted you," he said. "What shall I do with him?"
"Great Scott! Let him down!" exclaimed the little man, anxiously. "He didn't do anything to me."
"But he insulted you," protested Nikol. "I heard him say—"
"Oh, that was just in fun," cried Stubbs. "Let him go."