tting 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 inter