"That's too bad, Phil!" said he, springing to his feet. "I only pity you because you stood out against the mate, and against slaving."
"You say you have kept on the right side of the mate?"
"I have, for my own comfort and safety. My mother was a slave—but no matter about that," he added; and before I knew what he was about, he had unloosed my left hand.
"What are you doing?" I demanded.
"If you think I am a spy, I will prove to you that I am not. I will set you free, though it costs me my life."
"Don't do it, Palmer. Pardon me for what I said. You need not wonder that I am suspicious in a vessel like this."
"I don't wonder; but you shall not suspect me, if I can do anything to prevent it."
"I do not suspect you any longer. I am satisfied that you are a good fellow, and true at heart. But put the cords on as you found them; I will not get you into trouble, whatever happens to me."
"No, you shall be free. Perhaps you can bring the men up to the scratch again, for they have all backed down. They drank their grog when I gave it to them this afternoon."
"If you are really my friend,—and I know you are now,—you can serve me better than by loosing my bonds at this moment."