"King George will answer that when they come to trial," said Peters, in a tone meant to be very impressive. "They're not likely to come back again,--that is, if the supply of English gallows trees doesn't give out. You can grin, you impudent young jackanapes," the man continued to the undismayed Andy, "but you'll laugh the other side of your mouth before this affair is done with, I can tell you. Once aboard the traitor's ship, it means that you took a man's chances in acting the spy on his majesty's loyal subjects, and you'll have to take a man's punishment." "Like a man, exactly," nodded Andy, quite buoyantly. "All right, governor--bring along your traitor ship, we aren't afraid, only you've got something else up your sleeve. You aren't the kind to come consoling us or scaring us without a purpose." "I'm not talking to you," snarled Peters wrathfully, turning his back on the imperturbable Andy. "See here, Warrington, your folks are a good deal worried over your absence." "I'm sorry," said Phil, "but you don't seem disposed to mend the situation." "Yes, I am," declared Peters quite eagerly. "That's what I've come for." "Yes, that's what he came for. I told you so," piped Andy airily. "Out with it, governor." "See here, you fellows are pretty young. I've got sons of my own, and know how it is with boys. My evidence settles your case, so I've been thinking." "He's been thinking!" mimicked Andy. "A penny for your thoughts, governor." "You write a note to your father," plunged on Peters, more rapidly. "I'll dictate it. You are to say about the awful fix you're in, and all that. He's to pay a bill for your keep I shall present to him. Well, say a hundred pounds. Then I'll see that you and your mate here get home safe. Understand?" "No, I don't understand," replied Phil simply. "In other words, you want to exact a ransom from my father. He is in business trouble, he has no money to waste on such a villainous proposition as you name. He wouldn't treat with you on principle. I will write no letter to him nor have anything to do with the affair, on such a basis." "You won't, eh?" shouted Peters, fairly wild with chagrin and disappointment. "Then I'll find a way to make you sweat for it--you see if I don't!" And with that the Tory flounced out of the room. "You see, we are not going to get out of this except by our own exertions," said Phil, and forthwith set at work on the barred window. The _Vixen_ lay at anchor most of the time. She was quite a distance north of Boston, Phil calculated, and about two miles from the shore. Twice she had run down the coast in the night and had sent the small boats ashore, but on each occasion had returned to her present anchorage.