“By G----, sir!” cried Raggett with the suspicion of a smile, “your people have a pretty good idea of what are necessaries of life. I find that your cargo mostly consisted of good Jamaica rum.” This rather upset Win, but Hoppy was equal to the occasion. “It’s like this, Captain Raggett,” said he; “there’s been quite a lot of sickness in the place, and we old sailors know there’s nothing can break up a cold like the old-fashioned cure of rum and molasses.” “Well, I’m afraid the invalids will have to suffer this trip.” “Looks that way, Captain Raggett,” assented Hoppy dolefully. “Now, my men,” said Raggett, “you know I have been very lenient about this business. It’s not the sort of warfare I’m used to. But it’s got to stop now. I’ve got myself into hot water with the authorities in London on account of my leniency and I don’t mind telling you that I don’t like being reprimanded by fellows who never went a mile to sea in the whole course of their clerkly lives. But that has nothing to do with the matter at present. Dick Raggett has got orders and, by George, he’s going to obey them! I have had scouts out for you for some time, and I’m going to hold you until ransomed.” “Then that will be forever!” exclaimed Hoppy. “There’s no one to ransom us, Captain Raggett. Of course, you can confiscate our boat and cargo, and hold us prisoners, but if you fix the price too high for our means, then that fixes us so far as we are concerned.” “I must make an example of your capture,” replied Raggett, “because you two are the most daring and successful of all the runners. But that doesn’t mean that my terms can’t be met. I confess I admire your pluck and resourcefulness.” “Of course, Captain Raggett, we are entirely at your mercy,” said Captain Knowles, “but we have no reason to fear harsh treatment so long as we are in your hands. In the event of our not being able to meet your terms, we stand a chance of being transferred from your ship. Some Cape Cod men are just now in Dartmoor prison.” “You will not be maltreated on the ‘Spencer,’ that I can promise. In the event of transference to another ship, you must take your chances with the rest.” “If it would not be asking too much, Captain Raggett, we should like to know what your terms are?” Raggett paused for some minutes before replying. His usual good temper was coming back. He saw that the men with whom he was dealing were above the ordinary standard of the seamen of the period, both in education and intelligence, and while he knew just what he wanted of them, he was unwilling to alienate their good opinion of him by any premature announcement of his plans.