"And they have treated you—but you know how they have treated you," Colonel John went on, appealing to the lower motive.
The group of seamen who stood about the door growled seamen's oaths.
"There are things that seem hard," the Colonel continued, "and being begun, pouf! they are done while you think of them!"
Captain Augustin of Bordeaux swelled out his breast. "That is true," he said. "I have done things like that."
"Then do one more!"
The skipper's eyes surveyed the men's faces. He caught the spark in their eyes. "I will do it," he cried.
"Good!" Colonel John cried. "The arms first!"
CHAPTER XIII
A SLIP