"Mr. Barnard," he exclaimed, loud enough for the watch on deck to hear. "Bring up the prisoner, and place him under the poop in charge of a couple of hands. Take all precautions. I hold you responsible for his safe custody."
Taking Davidge and Cross, the men who had signified their readiness to stand-by the ex-captain, the bo'sun went below and unlocked the door of Cain's cell.
"My orders are to take you on deck, Cap'n Cain," he announced. "S'pose you don't want to jump overboard?"
"Not under present conditions," replied the pirate.
"Nor to give any trouble?"
"There'll be enough before long, without my having to cause any," rejoined Cain grimly. "Why do you ask?"
"Pengelly's orders were that I'm responsible for you," replied Barnard. "I must lash your hands, sir. A mere matter of form. I won't give your wrists a tight nip, and if anything happens as renders it necessary, sir, I'll set you free in a brace o' shakes."
"That's all right, Barnard," said the ex-captain reassuringly. "I won't kick; for the present I'll knuckle under."
Meekly he submitted to have his wrists secured behind his back, then preceded by Davidge and followed by Cross, with the bo'sun bringing up the rear, Cain made his way to the conning-tower hatchway.
Pengelly watched him furtively. Cain gave no glance in the direction of the bridge. Several of the men on deck stood to attention, a compliment that Pengelly did not fail to notice. None of the hands paid that mark of deference to him, he recalled.