The Captain spread out his hands.
“Why in hell didn’t you say so afore?” he asked Jim.
“Is it any of your darned business?”
“I guess it’s your funeral, all right,” chuckled the grizzled man.
“Better come on as far as Eagle. I’ll put you off there,” said the Captain. “Can’t stop just here.”
Jim shook his head and moved towards the rail.
“I’m sure in a hurry,” he said. “We ain’t scared of a drop of water, are we Angy?”
Angela bestowed upon him a look of mingled contempt and terror. The high wooded bank seemed miles away, and the river ran like a millrace.
“I won’t come—I won’t!” she hissed.
But he had already reached the rail. Her heart seemed to freeze with horror as he lifted her on to the seat and clasped her firmly round the waist, imprisoning her arms so that resistance became impossible. 179