DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 73

“No, I shall force them to do as I say, and I reckon,
with the muzzle of a revolver at their heads, they ’ll pull
and haul as much as will be needed, unless the weather
should change suddenly. The only possible trouble is
that I may not be able to make them understand.”

Miss Dunham shook her head doubtfully, as if thinking
this new scheme of the young captain’s was not only
impracticable, but dangerous.

Fortunately, Ben did not see the gesture, which was
so expressive, otherwise he might have been tempted
to reconsider his determination, for he was beginning to
place considerable confidence in the young woman’s
opinion.

The scheme seemed so feasible to him, and the neces-
sity of getting away from that locality at the earliest
possible opportunity so great, that he paid no attention
just at that moment to anything around him, save as it
was connected with the plan he had in mind.

In furtherance of it, while Miss Dunham stood looking
around her as if having become convinced the consignees
of the brig had made a, mistake in sending so young a
captain, Ben approached the prisoners.

He began to carry his scheme into execution by stating
rapidly, and apparently regardless of whether they under-
stood him or not, exactly what he proposed to do, promis-
ing in the most expressive tone, with the flourish of the
revolver by way of emphasis, that he should not hesitate
to shoot one or the three at the first attempt to escape, or
a refusal to obey orders.