There was a log opposite the one upon which they had been sitting and Robert took his place upon it easily, not to say confidently.  He felt sure that they would not fire upon him now, having perhaps nothing to gain by it, but he kept a calculating eye upon them nevertheless.

“And so this is Acadia,” he said.  “I’ve been wondering what land it might be.  I did not know that we had come so far.  Acadia is a long way from New York.”

“A long, long way, Peter.”

“But you know the coast well, of course, captain?”

“Of course.  I’ve made several voyages in the neighboring waters.  There’s only one settlement within fifty miles of us, and you’d never find it, it’s so small and the wilderness is such a maze.”

“The country does look like much of a puzzle, but I’ve concluded, captain, that I won’t go with you.”

“Why not?”

“I’m persuaded that you’re the very prince of liars, and in your company my morals might be contaminated.”

The man’s face was too tanned to flush, but his eyes sparkled.

“You’re over loose with words, lad,” he said, “and it’s an expensive habit.”

“I can afford it.  I know as surely as we’re sitting here facing each other that this is not the coast of Acadia.”

“Then what coast is it?”

“That I know not, but taking the time, I mean to have, I shall find out.  Then I’ll tell you if you wish to know.  Where shall I deliver my message?”

“I think you’re insolent.  I say again that it’s the coast of Acadia, and you’re going with us.  We’re three to your one, and you’ll have to do as I say.”

Robert turned his gaze from the captain to his two men.  While their faces were far from good they showed no decision of character.  He knew at once that they belonged to the large class of men who are always led.  Both carried pistols, but he did not think it likely that they would attempt to use them, unless the captain did so first.  His gaze came back to the tall man, and, observing again the heavy cutlass he carried, a thought leaped up in his mind.

“You wish me to go with you,” he said, “and I don’t wish to go, which leaves it an open question.  It’s best to decide it in clean and decisive fashion, and I suggest that we leave it to your cutlass and my sword.”

The close-set eyes of the captain gleamed.

“I don’t want to kill you, but to take you back alive,” he said.  “You were always a strong and handy lad, Peter, and I need your help.”

“You won’t kill me.  That I promise you.”

“You haven’t a chance on earth.”

“You pledge your word that your men will not interfere while the combat is in progress, nor will they do so afterward, if I win.”

“They will not stir.  Remain where you are, lads.”

The two sailors settled themselves back comfortably, clasping their knees with their hands, and Robert knew that he had nothing to fear from them.  Their confidence in the captain’s prowess and easy victory was sufficient assurance.  They were not to be blamed for the belief, as their leader’s cutlass was heavy and his opponent was only a youth.  The captain was of the same opinion and his mood became light and gay.