“I said, let go of me,” exclaimed Dave, in more alarm than ever. “If you don’t, I’ll call the watch.”
“You’re a troublesome lad truly!” answered the tar, and then gazed around to see who else was in sight. Apparently satisfied that the coast was clear, he suddenly stepped behind Dave and pinned his arms fast to his side. Then he lifted the lad up bodily in his brawny grasp.
“You shall see the cap’n—whether you go or not,” he went on.
But if he imagined that Dave was to be taken thus easily, he soon found out his mistake. In an instant the youth twisted his legs around those of his assailant, so the latter could not budge a step—and there they remained, one locked above, the other locked below.
“Let loose!” roared the tar. “Let loose, I say, or by my soul, I’ll knock ye down!”
“Help! help!” cried Dave, shrilly. “Help! Watch!”
“Stow your calls, I say!”
“I will not! Help!”
Dave did his best to turn his head and look up the long dock. The sailor did likewise, at the same time trying to loosen his legs, that he might make off with the boy. A small boat was handy and once he had Dave in this, he felt he could get off with the boy easily.
But now an answering shout came back, which filled the youth with joy and brought dismay to the tar. Coming from the trading shop, Joseph Morris had heard and recognized his nephew’s cry and was now running in that direction.