"That fellow we saw today may come at any moment," he said. "If
one of you see him coming, the other must place himself close to
the door, and if he enters, throw himself upon him and hold his
arms tightly till the others come up to help. Keep your rope handy
to twist round him, and remember these fellows are as slippery as
eels."
Having made the round, he returned to the hut in the center of the
others that he and Harry occupied. Half an hour later, they heard
a sudden outcry from the hut next to them, and rushing in, found
the two men there struggling with a Malay. With their aid he was
speedily bound; then the men were called from the other huts, and
the whole party ran down to the water's edge, where Harry hailed
the ship. A boat put off at once, and they were taken on board.
The prisoner was led to the captain's cabin, and there examined
through the medium of the interpreter. He refused to answer any
questions until, by the captain's orders, he was taken on deck
again and a noose placed round his neck, and the interpreter told
him that, unless he spoke, he was to be hauled up to the yard's
arm. The man was still silent.
"Tighten the strain very gradually," the captain said to the sailors
holding the other end of the rope.
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