So I thought it well to keep silent.
'This Englishman would grace a yardarm very well,' he said.
De Garcia, who had begun to hum a tune indifferently, smiled, looking
first at the yard and then at my neck, and the hate in his eyes seemed
to burn me.
'I have a better thought than that,' said the third officer. 'If we hung
him questions might be asked, and at the least, it would be a waste of
good money. He is a finely built young man and would last some years in
the mines. Let him be sold with the rest of the cargo, or I will take
him myself at a valuation. I am in want of a few such on my estate.'
At these words I saw de Garcia's face fall a little, for he wished to
be rid of me for ever. Still he did not think it politic to interfere
beyond saying with a slight yawn:
'So far as I am concerned, take him, comrade, and free of cost. Only I
warn you, watch him well or you will find a stiletto in your back.'
The officer laughed and said: 'Our friend will scarcely get a chance at
me, for I do not go a hundred paces underground, where he will find his
quarters. And now, Englishman, there is room for you below I think;'
and he called to a sailor bidding him bring the irons of the man who had
died.
This was done, and after I had been searched and a small sum in gold
that I had upon my person taken from me--it was all that remained to me
of my possessions--fetters were placed upon my ankles and round my neck,
and I was dragged into the hold.
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