Still holding his prisoner upon the thwart, he ordered Bickling to make fast the left wrist of the man to his suspender behind, so that he could not use that arm any more than the other. In doing this the principal operator had been obliged to throw open Flounder’s coat and vest. As he did so, he discovered a package of papers and letters in the pocket inside of the vest. He did not scruple to take possession of these, an act which excited the wrath of the victim to an ungovernable extent. “Do you mean to rob me of my private papers?” demanded Flounder as Louis permitted him to roll off the thwart into the bottom of the boat. “After a man has threatened my life with a revolver, I intend to ascertain as much about him as possible,” replied Louis quietly. “Perhaps I know what I am about better than you think I do.” “This is an outrage!” roared the victim. “I suppose it is; but I also think it was an outrage to fall upon a defenceless man, throw him down, and attempt to bind his hands behind him, as I found you in the act of doing, Mr. Flounder. I am willing to take the responsibility of everything I do.” “You will have to suffer for this! I will have satisfaction for this, if I have to follow you all over the world!” yelled the recruit, so beside himself with anger that he could hardly utter his words, and looked like a naughty boy crying in his fury. “Give way, Bickling,” said Louis, poising his oar. “Are you going to leave me in this situation?” demanded Flounder, whom the pain suddenly reduced to something like subjection. “Hold on a minute, Bickling,” added Louis, as he left his place at the oar and stepped into the stern sheets. Taking his victim by the collar of his coat, he raised him to the seat and placed him upon it. Flounder groaned heavily, and no doubt the movement gave him additional pain, which could hardly be avoided. “Do you mean to kill me?” gasped the recruit. “I do not; I am not disposed to give you any unnecessary suffering. Whatever pain you have you have brought upon yourself. Now if you will keep quiet, I will not molest you again; and when we get to the steamer, I will see that your wound is dressed and that you are properly cared for. Now, give way, Bickling.” The two oarsmen pulled till the boat reached the Phantom, which had drifted some little distance into the entrance to the inlet. Flounder had learned wisdom from his suffering, and he made no further attempt at resistance. One of the two deck hands of the steamer had slept on the passage down from the city, and he was now on watch on the forecastle. He hailed Louis to learn what had happened, for he could not help seeing the struggle in the boat. “Call Captain Brisbane!” shouted Louis. “What is the matter?” asked the man. “Call the captain as quick as you can!” replied Louis sharply; and the man hastened to ascend the ladder to the pilot-house, where the commander was putting in his sleeping.