Jim added a western retort that roused the deserter to a livid fury. He answered viciously,
"We've a six-inch gun aboard that can blow your works to splinters!"
"And then?"
"We'll come ashore and take possession. It won't do you any good to ask for mercy, then!"
The "Wizard" stepped forward, his giant frame towering above the intruder.
"This parley is over!" he thundered. "I declare you pirates, and give you five minutes to get yourselves off this island!
"Jim, get your watch out! If there's one of these scoundrels on shore at the end of that time, shoot! If any one of them makes a hostile move, shoot! And shoot to kill!"
He turned to the supposed Siberian.
"As for you, you'd better be the first one in the boat! Every one of these men is a two-gun man, and I reckon you know what that means!"
The officer stood his ground, and entered upon an argument as to the rights of the case, but was cut short by Jim's crisp announcement,