"Avast—too much," interposed the mate. "Ease off again."
"Ease off," replied Martino; and I observed that they let out the sheet till the sail was in exactly the same position as before.
"Avast; belay!" added the mate. "Take the helm, Gorro."
I looked up with astonishment when I heard this order, for it involved a departure from the ordinary routine of the vessel. The Portuguese took the helm; and while I was waiting for further commands, a pair of hands were placed over my mouth, and I was suddenly and violently borne down upon the deck. In a word, I was garroted after the Spanish fashion. Grego seized me by the legs, and I was unable either to struggle or to cry out. The two men picked me up, and hastened into the cabin with me. Waterford walked forward as far as the mainmast, and that was the last I saw of him. It was evident that none of my shipmates forward had seen the trick played upon me, for they were all behind the house on deck.
My captors bore me to the steerage, where they tied me hand and foot, and made me fast to a stanchion. I began to understand why the mate had been so quiet and peaceful since the row on deck. He had concluded to fight his enemies in detail, instead of in the aggregate. I was helpless now, and my companions in the forecastle did not even know that any misfortune had happened to me. But I was sure they would miss me when the helm was relieved, and I was more afraid that they would go to work rashly than that they would do nothing.
Phil a Prisoner in the Steerage.
"You'll hold still now, Phil," said Martino.