"Captain Percy," she
murmured, with a little sobbing breath.
I leaned across the tiller and addressed the favorite. "My lord," I
said, "courtesy to prisoners is one thing, and freedom from
restraint and license of tongue is another. Here at the stern the boat
is somewhat heavily freighted. Your lordship will oblige me if you
will go forward where there is room enough and to spare."
His black brows drew together. "And what if I refuse, sir?" he
demanded haughtily.
"I have rope here," I answered, "and to aid me the gentleman who
once before to-night, and in despite of your struggles, lifted you in
his arms like an infant. We will tie you hand and foot, and lay you
in the bottom of the boat. If you make too much trouble, there is
always the river. My lord, you are not now at Whitehall. You are
with desperate men, outlaws who have no king, and so fear no
king's minions. Will you go free, or will you go bound? Go you
shall, one way or the other."
He looked at me with rage and hatred in his face. Then, with a
laugh that was not good to hear and a shrug of the shoulders, he
went forward to bear Diccon company in the bow.
CHAPTER XX IN WHICH WE ARE IN DESPERATE CASE
"GOD walketh upon the sea as he walketh upon the land," said the
minister. "The sea is his and we are his. He will do what it liketh
him with his own.
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