"I do mean it, and I shall stand by till it is done."
"Will you leave me in the midst of the fire, ironed hand and foot?"
"I will. You kindled the fire; and if you perish by it, blame yourself."
Pillgrim attempted to resist the execution of the order, but the marines were resolute, and he was fully ironed in spite of his struggles.
"Now lock him in," said Somers.
"One word, Mr. Somers."
"Not another word;" and the young commander hastened from the state-room, and made his way to the scene of peril in the hold.
He did not believe that even Pillgrim was stupid enough to blow up the Ben Nevis for mere revenge; and Captain Walmsley certainly would do nothing of the kind, for he could have no strong feeling on the subject, at least not enough to sacrifice the lives of himself and his crew.
There was a smell of fire in the hold—the hold filled with powder, shells, and other combustibles. This fact tended to confirm the statement of the wretch; yet Somers was incredulous. When he reached the scene of danger he found the officers and the men timid about proceeding far into the hold, for if there was fire, there must soon be an explosion.
"Follow me, my men!" said he, as he walked aft on the cargo.