“But suppose we don’t want to go with you?” put in Gif.
At this Captain Gilsen drew himself up.
“You have to go,” he replied curtly. “This is my ship, and what I say goes!”
CHAPTER VII
A NIGHT OF ANXIETY
“You mean to tell us we’re prisoners?” demanded Jack, his eyes flashing.
“Not exactly prisoners,” returned Captain Gilsen. “There is no use of getting so sour about it. This whole happening is your own fault—not ours. We didn’t invite you to come here and spy on our doings.”
“How long do you want us to remain?” questioned Randy.
“That will depend on how you behave. If you take things easy like, we’ll let you go just as soon as the weather clears. No use of letting you go now; you might bump into some of the rest of our ships,” and again the captain of the Hildegarde tugged at his heavy moustache.
“Well, all I’ve got to say is, this is a mighty high-handed proceeding,” declared Ralph. “However, you’ve got the best of us, and I suppose we’ve got to submit. Just the same, I want you to understand that we are protesting against this whole proceeding.”