I could only groan.
"But the moment the coast is clear, I will be as good as my word, and
land you at St Jago."
I groaned again. The man was moved.
"I would I could do so sooner," he continued; "but you see by how
precarious a tenure I hold my control over these people; therefore I
must be cautious, for your sake as well as my own, or they would make
little of murdering both of us, especially as the fellow who would have
cut your throat this morning has many friends amongst them; above all, I
dare not leave them for any purpose for some days. I must recover my
seat, in which, by the necessary severity you witnessed, I have been
somewhat shaken. So goodbye; there is cold meat in that locker, and
some claret to wash it down with. Don't, I again warn you, venture out
during the afternoon or night. I will be with you betimes in the
morning. So goodbye so long. Your cot, you see, is ready slung."
He turned to depart, when, as if recollecting himself, he stooped down,
and taking hold of a ring, he lifted up a trap door, from which there
was a ladder leading down to the capstan--house. "I had forgotten this
entrance; it will be more convenient for me in my visits."
In my heart I believe he intended this as a hint that I should escape
through the hole at some quiet opportunity; and he was descending the
ladder, when he stopped and looked round, greatly mortified, as it
struck me.
"I forgot to mention that a sentry has been placed, I don't know by
whose orders, at the foot of the ladder, to whom I must give orders to
fire at you, if you venture to descend.
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