"What are you about?" cried Ethan, struggling to release himself.
"Help! help!"
"Stop his mouth!" said Ben fearfully.
Vainly poor Ethan endeavored to shake off his assailants; his arms were tied together behind him, and a handkerchief stuffed into his mouth. In this condition he was lashed to a stanchion, so that he could move neither hand nor foot.
The commotion of this outrage attracted the attention of Mrs. Light and the two waiter-girls, who were employed in the lower cabin. The fireman exhibited a pistol to them, drove them below again, and threatened to shoot them if they made any noise. A similar demonstration quieted the fireman, and compelled him to return to the fire-room.
"The job is done," said Baker, the leader of the enterprise.
"But we haven't got the money," added Flint, the deckhand.
"We don't want that yet. It is safe where it is. Now both of you to your stations," continued Baker; and he went down into the fire-room.
Ben's station was in the wheel-house, Flint's at the fasts, and Baker's at the engine, as it appeared from their subsequent movements; and it was evident, from the operations in progress, that the villains intended to make their escape in the steamer. Baker stopped the hissing steam which was going to waste, and compelled the fireman to renew the fires.
"Be lively!" shouted Ben, from the wheel-house, as he discovered Lawry on the shore, hastening back to the steamer with his bundle of clothes.
"All ready!" replied Baker, finding there was steam enough to start the boat.