“Yes. I hear,” said the man coolly.
“Then why don’t you answer? Quick, before the others come! What will you take to let me go?”
“What’ll you take, youngster, to join us?”
“What do you take me for?” cried Hilary. “How dare you ask me such a question?”
“Just by the same law that you ask me,” said the man coolly. “Do you think everybody is to be bought and sold?”
“But look here,” cried Hilary. “I have been shut up there, and I want to get away; I must get away.”
“To bring the crew of the cutter to rout us up yonder, eh!” said the man, laughing. “Now, come, I suppose you would call yourself a young gentleman; so speak the truth. If I let you go, will you lead the cutter off on a false scent, or will you show the captain the way to our place?”
Hilary remained silent.
“Why don’t you speak, youngster? Which would you do?”
“My duty,” said Hilary sturdily.