A man, evidently the steward, promptly made his appearance at the cabin door, and responded:
“Monsieur called?”
“I did,” answered Renouf. “Go on deck and tell Pierre to bring three men and some lashing down into the cabin.”
The steward disappeared, and, as he did so, Renouf whipped a pistol out of his belt and covered me with it.
“Now, Monsieur Englishman, since you insist upon being so considered,” he said, “if you make the slightest show of resistance I will shoot you through the head. Do you comprehend?”
“Clearly,” I answered. “But as I cannot fight all hands single-handed, and as I am not yet tired of my life, I shall not resist. You at present have me in your power, and, by the exercise of that power, can compel me to do your will. But you are laying a heavy debt upon me, Captain Renouf, a debt which I will not fail to pay off in full at the earliest opportunity.”
“Pouf!” answered he scornfully; “a fig for your threats! I have always been able to take good care of myself hitherto, and I doubt not I shall always be equally able to do so.”