“It was your turn yesterday, it’s mine to-day. What a game! You laughed and fleered at me when I was on the cutter’s deck. I can laugh and fleer at you now. I say, you do look a rum ’un. Just like a big monkey in a show.”
“Look here, sir!” said Archy, losing his temper. “Gentlemen don’t fight with low, common fellows like you, but if you do not come round and let me out, next time we meet I’ll have a bit of rope’s-end ready for you.”
Ram showed his white teeth, as he burst out with a long, low fit of laughter.
“You rope’s-end me!” he said. “Why, I could tie you up in a knot, and heave you off the cliff any day. What a game! Bit of a middy, fed on salt tack and weevilly biscuit, talk of giving me rope’s-end! Dressed up with a dirty face and a bit o’ canvas! Go back aboard, and put on your uniform. Ha! Ha! Ha!”
“Once more; will you come and let me out?”
“No. I’m going to keep you here till the gentlefolks get up, and then I’ll bring ’em round to see the monkey in his cage, just like they do in the shows, when you pay a penny. See you for nothing, middy. I say, where’s your sword? Why don’t you draw it, and come out and fight? I’ll fight you with a stick.”
“You insolent young scoundrel!” cried Archy, darting his hand through between the bars, overcome now by his rage, and catching Ram by the collar.
To his astonishment the boy did not flinch, but thrust his own arms through, placing them about the middy’s waist, clenching his hands behind, and uttering a sharp whistle.
It was a trap, and the midshipman understood it now. The boy had been baiting him to rouse him to attack, and he was doubly a prisoner now, held fast against the bars, so that he could not even wrench round his head as he heard the door behind him opened, while as he opened his mouth to cry for help, a great rough hand was placed over his eyes, pressing his head back, a handkerchief was jammed between his teeth, and as he heard a deep growling voice say, “Hold him tight!” a rope was drawn about his chest, pinioning his arms to his sides, and another secured his ankles.
“Now a handkerchief,” said the gruff voice. “Fold it wide. Be ready!”