Under a volley of threats, Mustapha was commanded to tell all that he knew of the treasure tomb. He looked at me with frightened eyes; yet his lips remained sealed.
"Tell all, Mustapha," I said, "it will free you, and it will be no more than I have already told."
His story, as he stammered it, agreed with mine in every particular.
Murad strode up and down the cabin, swearing in Arabic and English. Then he shot questions at both of us concerning The Morning Star. When had she sailed from Derne? What was to be her next port? Was she fast? How many men and guns did she carry?
When Mustapha had answered as well as he could, Murad booted us out of the cabin. "I'm not done with you, miserable curs," he cried. "I'll need you when I board The Morning Star. Then for all the trouble you've caused me, I'll sew you up in the bags and drop you overboard! If you can think of a way of getting those bags you'll do well to send for them as your ransom. If I don't get them, you——" He drew his finger across his throat with a horrible gesture.
He now sent for MacWilliams and gave him sharp orders.
The next morning, after a day of hurried preparation, the Hawk sailed.
The ship had an armament of ten cannon, and carried an abundant supply of ammunition and provisions. A company of Moorish soldiers were on board of her. What was the Hawk's mission? Were we Christians to be used in enslaving other Christians? Was the Hawk a ship whose mission fitted her name? Was she to be a pirate ship seeking Christian vessels as prey, and would we be made to fight and to help enslave men of our own religion and blood? Questions like these concerned the Christians among the crew, and I for one prayed that I would have the courage to jump overboard if there came a moment when I was driven to do such deeds.
On our first day out, I made bold to unburden myself to the mate. MacWilliams eyed me gravely. "You are not to ask questions. You are to do as you are told. What happens on board this ship shall be on my conscience."