"Well," he said aloud, "I've warned you!" and he strode out of the old temple-chamber which formed the captain's quarters, his heavy boots thrust down about his ankles sounding dull on the thick rugs spread over the worn stones, and then clattering loudly as he stepped outside. "You two been quarrelling?" said Bart, sharply. "The dog's insolence is worse than ever!" cried the captain with flashing eyes. "Bart, I don't want to shed the blood of the man who has been my officer, but--" "Let someone else bleed him," growled Bart. "Dick would; Dinny would give anything to do it. We're 'bout tired of him. I should like the job myself." "Silence!" said the captain, sternly. "No, speak: tell me, what has been going on since I've been away?" "Black Mazzard?" The captain nodded. "Half the time--well, no: say three-quarters--he's been drunk, t'other quarter he's spent in the south ruins preaching to the men." "Preaching?" "Yes, with you for text. Just in his old way; but I've been too busy with the prisoner." "Yes, and he?" "It's him who is master here. Here, get up!" The buccaneer started, threw back his head, and the dark eyes flashed as he exclaimed-- "What's this, sir? Have you been taking a lesson from Mazzard?" "I? No; I'm only giving you your orders!" "What orders?" "Master Captain Humphrey Armstrong's. You're to get up and go to him directly. He wants you!" The buccaneer sprang to his feet. "He wants me--he has sent for me?" he cried, eagerly. "Ay! You're to go to him. He's master here!" A dull lurid flush came over the captain's swarthy face as his eyes encountered those of his henchman, and he frowned heavily. "Of course you'll go!" said Bart, bitterly. "I should give up everything to him now, and let him do as he likes!" "Bart!" "Oh, all right! Say what you like, I don't mind. Only, if it's to be so, let him hang me out of my misery, and have done with it." The buccaneer turned upon him fiercely, and his lips parted to speak; but as he saw the misery and despair in Bart's face his own softened. "Is this my old friend and help speaking?" he said, softly. "I did not expect it, Bart, from you. Why do you speak to me like this?" "Because you are going wrong. Because I can see how things are going to be, and it's natural for me to speak. Think I'm blind?" "No, Bart, old friend. I only think you exaggerate and form ideas that are not true. I know what you mean; but you forget that I am Commodore Junk, and so I shall be to the end. Now, tell me," he continued, calmly; "this captain of the sloop asks to see me?" "Orders you to come to him!" "Well, he is accustomed to order, and illness has made him petulant. I will go." "You'll go?" "Yes. Perhaps he has something to say in answer to an offer I made." "An offer?" "Yes, Bart, to join us, and be one of my lieutenants." "Join us, and be your lufftenant?" cried Bart.