"There's ship's biscuit and hot stuff in the cabin," said Ingle. "You'd best come below and have some. You look as though you'd fasted near long enough." It was the first time the thought of food had crossed Huntoon's mind, but he realized now that it was well on towards nightfall and he had not broken fast since seven in the morning. Yet when he was seated at the table despite his hunger he could scarce eat. Two things choked him: first, the thought of _The Lady Betty_ lying on the sand five fathoms under water and her cargo on this pirate's deck; and afterward, when he had conquered this bitterness and looked up, the anger in his heart at sight of the ogling attention Richard Ingle was bestowing upon Peggy Neville. The girl herself was more than a little frightened, but she held her head high. "Had I known we were to have a lady aboard, I had had the cabin decorated." "Bare walls go best with a sad heart, Captain Ingle." "Fill your goblet again and down with the Madeira!" "None for me, I thank you." "Ho! ho! I see you are jealous. Wine and woman, the old saw says, make fools of all men. So belike you care not to take your rival to your heart." "I crave your permission to withdraw." "Ah, do those bright eyes feel the weight of sleep so early?" Peggy bowed. "Then must we do without them, though 'tis like turning out the light in the ship's lantern. Your cabin, you know, lies between your brother's and mine." "I shall sit with my brother the night." "And you so overcome with drowsiness," mocked Ingle. Huntoon started up; but Peggy checked him: "Master Huntoon, will you take me to my brother? I will detain him but a moment, Captain Ingle, and I thank you for your courtesy." It might have been a court lady who swept past Ingle to take Huntoon's arm; but it was a trembling and much frightened little maid who entered Neville's cabin. "Will you do something for me?" "Anything." "I don't know how to say it." "I know. You fear Ingle." "I do." "And would like to have me sleep outside the door here." "No; that would make him angry, and we are all in his power." "I fear you speak only the truth." "But there is a way." "What?" "Keep him talking all night." "I will try, and, Peggy, if worst comes to worst--" "I know, and I trust you; but now hasten back." So he left her. When Huntoon returned to the table, Ingle poured him out a huge bumper of Madeira and another for himself, though his flushed cheeks and glazed eyes showed that he had little need of more. Then leaving his seat he went to the little locker at the end of the cabin, and drawing out two carefully preserved treasures set them down with a thump on the table. "Do ye know what those are?" "Drinking cups," said Huntoon, but he shuddered.