“He has told her that she is to hold no communication with such a fellow,” he said to himself. “Poor little Addy! what a sweet little thing she is growing, and what an impetuous, commanding way she has!”
He sat watching the place still, but without hope. Now and then the girl’s words came to him.
“I seem like a wild beast in a cage, do I?” he said laughing. “Very good, Miss Addy; then I must gnaw my way out.”
As he spoke his eyes fell upon the bit of worsted that was secured to the cutlass, and he was about to draw it up when he heard footsteps approaching from the interior, and he leaped lightly down and began walking about the place as the door was opened, and Allstone held it back for some of his men to enter with a couple of trusses of straw, a couple of blankets, a rough three-legged table, and a rougher stool, which were unceremoniously thrown or jerked down, and then, after a suspicious look at his prisoner, Allstone motioned to the men to go.
“Is there anything else your lordship would like?” he said with a sneer. “The best feather-beds are damp, and the carpets have been put away by mistake. What wines would your lordship like for your dinner and would you like silver cups or glass?”
“Now then, old Allstones, or Allbones, or Nobones, or whatever your name is,” cried Hilary, putting his arms akimbo, and taking a step nearer to the jailer, “you are a big and precious ugly man of about forty, and I’m only a boy; but look here, if I had you on board my ship I’d have you triced up and flogged.”
“But you are not on board your ship, my young cockerel,” said the man mockingly.
“No,” cried Hilary, “but I’m all here, and if you give me any of your sauce when you come in, I’ll show you why some fellows are made officers and some keep common seamen to the end of their days.”
“And how’s that?” said the ruffian with a sneer.
“Because they know how to deal with bullies and blackguards like you. Now then, this is my room, so walk out.”