The harsh grating voice had grown soft, deep, rich, and mellow, while the dark, flashing eyes seemed to have become dreamy as they rested upon the prisoner’s handsome, defiant face.
“Yes,” said Humphrey, bitterly; “give me my liberty.”
The buccaneer shook his head.
“Curse you! No; you profess to serve me—to treat me well—and you keep me here barred up like some wild beast whom you have caged.”
“Barred—caged!” said the buccaneer, raising his eyebrows. “You have freedom to wander where you will.”
“Bah! freedom!” cried Humphrey, springing up. “Curse you! why don’t I strangle you where you stand?”
At that moment there was a rustling among the leaves outside the window, and Humphrey burst into a mocking laugh.
“How brave!” he cried. “The buccaneer captain comes to see his unarmed prisoner, and his guards wait outside the doorway, while another party stop by the window, ready to spring in.”
The buccaneer’s face turned of a deep dull red—the glow of annoyance, as he strode to the window and exclaimed fiercely—
“Why are you here? Go!”