"I advise you not to run, my honorable capitan, or to make resistance," said the Jap, smiling amiably1. "It would not by any means suit our purposes to have you get away just now. We must, therefore, claim you as our guest."
Ned feigned2 an indifference3 he was far indeed from feeling.
"It seems that rascals5 do have all the luck on their side sometimes, doesn't it?" he said.
The Jap did not reply. Instead, he turned to Kenworth, who was still standing6 on board the motor boat and keeping Ned relentlessly7 covered with his pistol.
[Pg 145]
"Put over that gangplank," he said. "We are to have the honor of an unexpected visit from clever Mr. Strong. I cannot imagine how he managed to free himself, but it is greatly to our advantage that, after having done so, he took the path that he did. Now, my honorable sir, if you will give yourself the great trouble to walk up that plank9 I shall be your most obedient servant. Remember I am close behind you, and if you should feel tempted10 to jump or run, pray recollect11 that I am excessively nervous, and in my excitement I might press this trigger."
"You mean you would do so," returned Ned. "I know you and your breed."
"Complimentary12, is he not?" grinned the Jap, addressing Kenworth.
"It doesn't matter what he is," was the grumbling13 rejoinder, "we've got him tight this time, and by hookey, I mean to keep him safe and sound."
[Pg 146]
"Oh, yes, there must be no more promenades14, honorable Ned," chuckled15 the Jap.
Ned could have throttled16 the grinning rascal4 then and there. But he reflected that to make any break to escape would probably result in serious consequences for himself. It was a lonely part of the Neck and concealed17 from the view of the little-traveled path that led through the brush.
Besides, he thought that possibly another chance to get away might present itself. If he proved troublesome, the two rascals would take double pains to secure him, whereas if they thought he was thoroughly18 subdued19 they might not be so particular.
With this thought in mind, he threw back his head proudly and walked across the rickety gangway with a firm step.
"At least, I won't let them see that they can scare a sailor of Uncle Sam's," he thought, looking[Pg 147] defiantly20 into the grimacing21 face of Kenworth.
As soon as he was on board, the gangplank was drawn22 in. Then Saki addressed the involuntary guest.
"Hold out your hands, please, honorable sir."
"What for?" demanded Ned, although he guessed what was coming. They were going to bind23 him again.
But this time Ned guessed wrong. That is, on the present occasion the two worthies24 had clearly decided25 to use no ordinary methods of insuring the safety of their prisoner.
"I wish to present you with some jewelry," said Saki, with a grin that made Ned wild to give the oily, grimacing ruffian a good drubbing.
The next instant he produced a pair of handcuffs. Ned, situated26 as he was, had no choice but to submit to being manacled.
"It's what I might have expected of you," he[Pg 148] said, as Saki snapped the locks shut. "May I ask what you mean to do with me?"
"We will take a little cruise out into open water till it gets dark, and then we shall return to—to—well, we shall return you to a safe place on shore for the night."
As the Jap spoke27, Kenworth started the engine and then drew in the anchor. The clutch was slipped into forward speed and the motor boat moved out of the little cove8, splitting the water at a good rate.
"You said you were going to take a cruise?" inquired Ned.
"Such is our intention," rejoined Kenworth, who had the wheel, with a scowl28.
"I should advise you not to," was the quiet rejoinder.
"Why not?"
For answer Ned pointed29 to great castellated clouds piled up in majestic30 masses on the horizon.[Pg 149] They towered whitely against the blue sky and appeared to be traveling at some speed.
"Well, what about those clouds?" asked Kenworth, with his customary sneer31.
"Thunder heads. We are in for a bad storm, or I miss my guess," said Ned, in the same quiet tones.
"Hark at the scare-cat!" chuckled Kenworth. "Say, Ned Strong, for a braggart32 upstart you show the white feather mighty33 soon."
"If only you were concerned," retorted Ned, "I shouldn't care what became of this craft or those in it. But I'd hate to be drowned, when some day I confidently expect to be the means of bringing you two traitors34 to justice."
It was perhaps an unwise speech, but Ned was mad clear through. Kenworth looked at him keenly.
"So that's your little plan, eh?" he asked. "Well, I guess we know ways to checkmate that, Saki."
[Pg 150]
"Undoubtedly," responded the Jap, gravely nodding his head.
"That's all I have to say," said Ned; "go ahead and work out your own salvation35. I've warned you."
"I always knew you were a coward at bottom, Strong," scoffed36 Kenworth, "and now I'm going to give you a cruise that will take the starch37 out of you for the rest of your life."
He touched the control, which was on the steering38 wheel like that of an automobile39. The craft leaped forward like a flying fish. The spray flew high on either bow. Kenworth, a wicked gleam in his eyes, headed straight up the Sound.
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1
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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6
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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7
relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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8
cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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9
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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10
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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11
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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12
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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13
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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14
promenades
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| n.人行道( promenade的名词复数 )；散步场所；闲逛v.兜风( promenade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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15
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
throttled
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| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
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17
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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18
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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19
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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20
defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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21
grimacing
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| v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的现在分词 ) | |
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22
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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24
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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25
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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26
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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27
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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28
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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29
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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30
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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31
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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32
braggart
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| n.吹牛者；adj.吹牛的，自夸的 | |
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33
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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34
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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35
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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36
scoffed
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| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
starch
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| n.淀粉；vt.给...上浆 | |
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38
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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39
automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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