“If you brought us here on a fool’s errand you shall pay for it,” said Sam.
“You had better not threaten me while you are prisoners.”
“Prisoners!” came from both.
“Do you intend to keep us prisoners?” demanded Sam.
“For the present, yes.”
“What for?”
“To pay you back for your impudence on board of my steamer, for one thing.”
“We weren’t impudent. We merely stood up for our rights, and for the rights of that negro you misused.”
“I won’t argue the point with you—at least not now.”
“What are you going to do?”