And he stamped his feet in his rage as he walked to and fro.
Charley could hardly refrain from laughing at the pirate chief going on in this way about being taken in. As he whispered to Tom, when he had the chance, it reminded him of the pickpocket who had stolen a watch, complaining of being hardly used because the article turned out to be pinchbeck!
“If you like to let us go, I will give you a bond for the estimated value of the ship and cargo,” said Captain Harding, wishing to pacify the man—who now appeared capable of going any lengths in his fury—for he did not place much credence in his loudly vaunted promise of saving their lives.
His suggestion, however, only seemed to add fuel to the fire.
“Yes, and a nice fool I should be to present it for payment, and have the police upon me. Do you take me for an addle-pated idiot? I tell you what I will do. I will burn your miserable old hulk of a ship, and its rotten cargo; and you and she can roast together!”
“And your pledged word as to our lives?” said the captain.
“I told you I wouldn’t take them, and my word is good, although I spared your life simply because I might want your signature. But if the ship catches fire, and you unfortunately cannot escape from her, of course it will not be my fault—don’t you see?”
And the corsair gave a malignant laugh, that
disclosed his real disposition better than words, and convinced the Englishmen of the futility of appealing to him for pity.