I
hope I shall see you agen."

He said these last words in a whisper, which sent a chill through the
lads, for that he was serious there could be no doubt.

By this time two men were down by the boat, that was now half in the
water, which had risen till she was rocking sidewise to and fro; and
smartly enough the old fisherman turned and trotted over the sand to
join in thrusting the boat out, and then sprang in.

This was too much for Mike, who made a sudden dash after him.

"Come on, Vince," he cried; and the boy followed, but only to catch hold
of his companion as he clung to the bows of the boat.

"Don't I don't do that, Mike," cried Vince; "you couldn't get away."

Three men who had rushed after them, and were about to seize the
prisoners, refrained as soon as they saw Vince's action; and the boat
with old Daygo on board glided out among the rocks, and then passed off
out of sight, round the left buttress of the cavern mouth.

This was enough: Mike turned furiously upon Vince and struck him,
sending him staggering backward over the thick sand; and, unable to keep
his balance, the lad came down in a sitting position.

"You coward!" cried Mike: "if it hadn't been for you we might have got
away."

"Coward, am I?" cried Vince, as he sprang up and dashed at his
assailant, with fists clenched and everything forgotten now but the
blow. He did not strike out, though, in return, for an arm was thrown
across his chest and a gruff voice growled out,--

"Are we to let 'em have it out, Capen Jarks?"

"No; _mais_ I sink zey might have von leetle rights. _Non, non, non_!
You do not vant to fight now, _mes enfans_; you have somesings else to
sink. You feel like a big coward?"

"No, I don't," said Vince, to whom the words were addressed: "I'll let
him see if you'll make this man let go."

"_Non, non, non_!" said the captain, raising his hand to tug at one of
the rings in his ears. "You do not vant to fight. Let me see."

He began to feel the muscles of Vince's arms, and nodded as if with
satisfaction.

"It seem a pity to finish off a boy like you. I sink you vould make a
good sailor and a fine smugglaire on my sheep. Perhaps I sall not kill
you."

"Bah!" cried Vince, looking him full in the face. "Do you think I'm
such a little child as to be frightened by what you say?"

"Leetle schile? _Non, non. Vous etes un brave garcon_--a big, brave
boy. Zere, you sall not fight like you _Anglais_ bouledogues, a