the slightest show of resistance I will shoot you
through the head. Do you comprehend?"

"Clearly," I answered. "But as I cannot fight all hands single-handed,
and as I am not yet tired of my life, I shall not resist. You at
present have me in your power, and, by the exercise of that power, can
compel me to do your will. But you are laying a heavy debt upon me,
Captain Renouf, a debt which I will not fail to pay off in full at the
earliest opportunity."

"_Pouf_!" answered he scornfully; "a fig for your threats! I have
always been able to take good care of myself hitherto, and I doubt not I
shall always be equally able to do so."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE TRUE CHARACTER OF THE JEAN BART BECOMES MANIFEST.

At this moment Pierre, who turned out to be the boatswain of the ship,
accompanied by the three other men, one of whom carried a length of
ratline in his hand, came clattering down the companion ladder, and
entered the cabin.

"Now, monsieur," continued Renouf to me, "will you go on deck and do
your duty, or shall these men drag you there and compel you to do it by
seizing you up to the gangway and flogging you into obedience?"

"I will obey your orders, Captain Renouf," said I, "since you leave no
alternative but that of being flogged, which I do not choose to submit
to. But--"

"Well, but what?" sneered Renouf.

"Nothing at present," answered I, suddenly realising the absurdity as
well as the imprudence of continuing to threaten while in so utterly
helpless a condition.

"Aha, Monsieur Braggadocio!" answered Renouf; "so you are coming to your
senses already, are you? It is well. Now you are beginning to exhibit
a glimmer of common sense, which I hope will increase with reflection,
and if it does I doubt not that we shall get on well enough together
after all; especially as you will find that there is plenty of prize-
money to be earned on board this ship. Now go forward and tell your
mates that you have accepted service under me, and persuade them to do
the same. I hope, for your sake, that you will have no trouble in so
persuading them."

"I go, sir," replied I; "but I tell you, now, in the presence of these
men, that I obey you under protest, and only because I do not choose to
submit to the indignity of compulsion by mere superior brute force."

And so saying I turned and left the cabin, being escorted to the deck by
Pierre and his three myrmidons.

I went right forward into the forec