"Cease your preaching! I calculate things are just about cooked now; and they'll have to be eaten. We know you, at any rate--ever ready to make trouble when you had no temptation to do otherwise. But now--you're an Englishman in disguise!" "If you were not drunk, I'd thrash you before your bullies, for that insult." "Threats--threats and big words. We know you, I say; we see through you. A place-seeker, who tried to lead that he might gratify his own cursed vanity. Now you are a pious prig and teach in the school and say your prayers, I dare say! Much good your leadership did--you with big patriotic words on your lips and an English girl in your mean heart!" "Leave that, or I'll----" "Do it--do it! D'you think I fear you? I'm leader now--leader of braver men than ever listened to you. Touch me, and a hundred men will break every bone in your body! A Yankee--you! I'll swear, if the truth was known, we should find you were leagued with Judas Leverett himself. Take that pill and swallow it, you canting humbug!" Stark fell back and stared at his old companion. "You!" he cried. "Bill Burnham to say that to me!" He was silent and the other repeated his charge. "I'll speak with you when you're sober then." "And what will you say?" began the younger; but Stark turned from him; and at the same moment a peculiar whistle, used by his gang as a signal, told Burnham that he was wanted. Captain Short, with a bodyguard of armed troops, had appeared, and he desired to speak with a representative of the prisoners. Burnham, with Ira Anson, stepped forward, and the rest of the mischief-makers stood in a group and watched them. "Do you speak for these troublesome men?" asked the Commandant. "I do," answered the young American. "I lead them all; and I'll not answer for them if any attempt is made to oppress them to-day." "At least their spokesman should not be drunk himself, whatever his rag-tag and bob-tail are. You stand condemned, for you know that liquor is forbidden." "The lad's not drunk," said Anson; "or, if he is, it is only at the same tap as all of us: the news from Ghent." "I'll not argue it, sir. I'm only sorry you cannot receive the news in a spirit more worthy. At least you'll oblige me by striking that flag on Prison No. 3. It is an invitation to foolish and ignorant sailors to mutiny, and I will not permit it to float here while I'm in command." "The word 'Rights' is a red rag to your Government," said Anson insolently. "Your rights at least have always been respected," answered Short patiently. "I wish I could help you benighted fellows to see reason and take juster views. Your conduct proceeds from hatred of us and fear of us, instead of hatred of evil and fear of God. But 'tis your nation that must answer for you. Believe me, I shall be very well pleased to wash my hands of you." Stark approached at this moment, and Captain Short turned to him.