“Because you know too much,� was the answer. The captain turned on his heel and slammed the door. Raynor heard a wooden bar fall into sockets on the outside. He was a prisoner. No one came near him for the rest of that day.
The room was lighted by a small port. By looking out of this Raynor was able to make out that he was confined in the extreme stern of the schooner. Right over the rudder, in fact.
When darkness came he stretched himself out on the single bunk which ran along one side of the cabin. It boasted no bed clothes and he was very cold. But youth, and his exhausted condition after the excitements of the day, overcame him, and he was soon fast asleep.
In the morning he was scarcely awake before Pompey appeared with some bread and a jug of water.
“Is that all I get to eat?� demanded Raynor who, despite his plight, had his appetite.
“Das all,� said Pompey commiseratingly, “dat cap’n he say yo’ blood need coolin’ wid light diet.�
“Do you know if I’m to be let out, Pompey?� asked Raynor with some anxiety.
“Dat am a subjec’ upon which ah am discommoded by de captain suppressed commands ter conversationalize,� rejoined Pompey. “I’se mighty sorry, but ah jes’ got to keep quiet while ah’s in hyah.�
He shook his woolly head solemnly and then, having set down the breakfast, if such it could be called, took his departure. Raynor heard the confining bar fall as the door was locked. He groaned aloud.
“Oh, what a fix,� he muttered, “out of the frying pan into the fire. If I ever get out of this, catch me ever sitting on a steamer’s rail with my legs swinging, for all my troubles come from that. Good old Jack, if only I had heeded his advice. I wonder what he is doing now?�