“About noon the crew of the Britannia were ranged on deck, and the elder of the two French captains called on Robert Eury to step out.
“'This man here,' he said in English, indicating the coloured steward, tells me that you have buried some money belonging to the prize. Where is it?'
“'I cannot tell you,' replied Robert; 'the captain's wife told me it belonged to her children and to the little girl Mary.'
“The Frenchman laughed. 'It belongs to us now; it is prize money, my good boy.'
“Eury looked at him steadily, but made no answer.
“' Come,' said the captain impatiently, 'where is it?'
“'I cannot tell you.'
“The younger of the captains laughed savagely, and stepped up to him, pistol in hand.
“'I give you ten seconds to tell.'
“'Five will do, monsieur,' replied Robert, in French, 'and then you will be losing five seconds of your time. I shall not tell you. But I should like to say goodbye to my dead captain's children.'