He pointed to the three stout men who stood motionless and silent in the dark recess.

“Oh, it was cowardly of you to bind my arms before you told me this,” said Gascoyne, with flashing eyes.  “If my hands were free now—­”

He checked himself by a powerful effort, and crushed back the boastful defiance which rose to his lips.

“Now, I’ll tell ye what it is, Mister Gascoyne,” said Dick Price, “I do believe yer not such a bad feller as they say ye are, an’ I’m disposed to be marciful to ye.  If yell give me your word of honor that you’ll not holler out, and that you’ll go with us peaceably, and do wot yer bid, I’ll not trouble you with the napkin, nor bind ye up more than I’ve done already.  But” (here Dick spoke in tones that could not be misunderstood), “if ye won’t give me that promise, I’ll gag ye and bind ye neck and heels, and we’ll carry ye out o’ this, shoulder high.  Now, wot say ye to that?”

Gascoyne had calmed his feelings while the boatswain was speaking.  He even smiled when he replied, “How can you ask me to give my word of honor?  What honor has a pirate to boast of, think you?”

“Not much, pr’aps,” said Dick; “howsomdever, I’ll be content with wot’s left of it; and if there ain’t none, why, then, give us yer word.  It’ll do as well.”

“After all, it matters little what is done with me,” said Gascoyne, in a resigned-voice.  “I am a fool to resist thus.  You need not fear that I will offer any further resistance, my man.  Do your duty, whatever that may be.”

“That won’t do,” said Dick, stoutly; “ye must promise not to holler out.”

“I promise,” said Gascoyne, sternly.  “Pray cease this trifling; and, if it is not inconsistent with your duty, let me know where I am to be taken to.”

“That’s just wot I’m not allowed for to tell.  But you’ll find it out in the coorse of time.  Now, all that you’ve got to do is to walk by my side, and do wot I tell ye.”

The prisoner made no answer.  He was evidently weary of the conversation, and his thoughts were already wandering on other subjects.

The door was now unlocked by one of the three men who stood near it.  As its hinges creaked, Dick shut the lantern, and threw the cell at once into total darkness.  Taking hold of Gascoyne’s wrist gently, as if to guide, not to force him away, he conducted him along the short passage that led to the outer door of the prison.  This was opened, and the whole party stood in the open air.

Gascoyne looked with feelings of curiosity at the men who surrounded him; but the night was so intensely dark that their features were invisible.  He could just discern the outlines of their figures, which were enveloped in large cloaks.  He was on the point of speaking to them, when he remembered his promise to make no noise; so he restrained himself, and followed his guard in silence.

Dick and another man walked at his side, the rest followed in rear.  Leading him round the outskirts of the village, towards its northern extremity, Gascoyne’s conductors soon brought him to the beach, at a retired spot, where was a small bay.  Here they were met by one whose stature proved him to be a boy.  He glided up to Dick, who said, in a low whisper: