"No, you don't!" I cried.
"Yes, we do, my hearty," returned Lowell, and Captain Hannock shook the belaying pin in my face.
"Stand still, unless you want your head split open," he commanded. "I'll have you to understand your days of fooling are over. You've discovered our secret, but it sha'n't do you any good."
The boatswain sprang upon me, and the skipper of the Spitfire assisted him. I struggled, but soon found it of little use. The two were too many for me, and in a moment I was securely bound.
"Now open the trap, Lowell, and we'll chuck him down in the hold," exclaimed Captain Hannock.
"He may yell, Captain."
"That's so. Tie a cloth over his mouth."
The boatswain procured a towel, and stuffing part of it in my mouth fastened it around my neck.
Then a trap door in the cabin floor was opened, and I was lowered upon the cargo below.
"Now you can stay there till you come to your senses," observed Captain Hannock.