"Take down those curtains, Petersen," he said.
Petersen removed the six curtains, dusty and stained with tobacco juice, from their places and brought them to Tom.
"Tear five of 'em into two strips."
The three men, and Hickey from the floor, looked on curiously while Petersen obeyed.
"Tie Jake up first; hands behind his back," was Tom's next order.
"I'll see youse in hell first!" Jake backed away from Petersen and raised his fists.
"If you make any trouble, I'll give you a quick chance to look around there a bit!"
Jake gazed a moment at the revolver and the gleaming eye behind it, and his fists dropped. Petersen stepped behind him and went to work, twisting the strip of muslin into a rope as he wound it about Jake's wrists. The job was securely done in a minute, for Petersen had once followed the sea.
"Now his feet," said Tom; and to Jake: "It'll be easier for you if you lay down."
Jake hesitated, then with an oath dropped to his knees and tumbled awkwardly on his side. In another minute Jake's feet were fastened; and at the end of ten minutes the other four men had been bound, even the wounded Hickey.