So much absorbed was Tad in his own miserable reflections, and the utter collapse of every plan he had made, that he started like one awakened out of sleep, when a long, claw-like hand grasped his arm, and a well-known, hateful voice said almost in his ear, "Ah, bon jour, mine dear cheeile! So I you have found at de last!" And a grin of evil triumph made even uglier and more repulsive than ever Renard's wicked face. Tad started as though from some noxious reptile. All the memories of his sufferings and those of Phil at the hands of this man rushed upon him with overwhelming force, and he gazed into Renard's green eyes, fascinated and speechless.
"Ah, ma foi!" chuckled Foxy. "Only to tink! Dis dear boy is so please to see his old master, dat he find not word to speak."
"It's a lie! I ain't pleased!" cried Tad, finding voice at last. "You know very well I'm nothin' of the kind. I hate you, that I do! Let me go!" And he tried to wrench his arm from old Foxy's clutch.
"Oh fie! Fie! Wat naughty tempers have dis dear cheeile!" sighed Renard as he tightened his hold. "Come wid me, mine friend; you shall once again be educate in de college of Monsieur Renard. Widout doubt your jours de fête—wat you call holiday—find demselves too long. Now you weel work."
And old Foxy began to drag his unwilling prisoner along, trying to get him away from the quay and into the town.
Tad did what he could to free himself from the man's hold, but all to no purpose. As well might a fly try to win clear when a spider has hold of him.
The people they met took no heed of him. It was nothing uncommon to see a struggle or even a fight going on here, and nobody interfered; so Tad was almost in despair, when suddenly he caught sight of something that gave him energy and courage.
There, standing on the deck of a trim little vessel drawn close up to the quay, was a burly form surmounted by a bluff; honest, weather-beaten face and a shaggy mass of red hair and beard.
"Oh, Captain Jackson!" shrieked the lad. "Save me! Save me! Foxy's got me again!" And he stretched out his one free arm in passionate entreaty.
The worthy Jeremiah leaped on shore and met Renard face to face. "What's up?" said he. "What's the matter?"