Todd caught him by the throat, and if the oars had not been well up in the rollocks, they must have gone overboard.
"Another such cry," said Todd, "and it is the last you shall have the opportunity of making in this world."
"Oh, no—no—"
"But I say yes. Listen to me! If you row me as I direct you, I will not only do you no harm, but I will pay you well. If you still obstinately refuse, I will murder you, and murder your father likewise, upon the first opportunity."
"I will row you down the river, sir. Oh, yes, I will do it. Indeed I will, sir."
"Very well. Take your oars, and pull away."
The boy was in such a state of trembling, that although it was quite evident he did his best to obey Todd, it was with the greatest difficulty that he could pull a stroke, and it took him some minutes to get the boat's head round to the tide.
"Be careful," said Todd. "If I see you willing, I make any allowance for you; but if I fancy, for a moment, that there is any idea of not obeying me, I will kill you!"
"I am obeying you, sir."
"Very well. Now, listen attentively to what I am about further to say to you, Bill White. You can pull away while you listen. We are going now very well with the stream."