“I just told the rascal not to,” said Mr. Curtis, “and what does he do but deliberately do it.”
Captain Howard turned his mask-like face to me.
“Did you have shot in that piece?” he asked.
“Not that I know of,” I stammered, hesitatingly, for, though I had heard the shot as plainly as he, I knew nothing of how it came in the gun.
“You may put him in double irons until I want him,” said Howard, dismissing the subject and turning to the trader.
“He did not fire that gun, and shall not go in irons,” said Miss Allen, firmly, standing before her father and the captain. “I fired that gun. Now, what are you going to do about it?”
Howard looked straight at her for a moment. Then he broke forth into his cackling laugh.
“Nothing, of course. He, he, he, ho, ho! not a thing. If you fired that gun, it’s all right. Ho, ho, ho! Now, Dan, you’d better go ashore and explain to the governor how your daughter happened to send a twelve-pounder into his house. When you come back, maybe you’ll think ten thousand pounds is a big price to pay for the risk we run, and maybe you won’t. If he’s in a good humour, I doubt if he lets you land.”
CHAPTER XIV.
I DECIDE TO LEAVE THE BARQUE
I was allowed to go forward, followed by Tim, who gave me a queer look as he passed.