"Well, perhaps it would be better for all parties that there should be
after all a clear understanding. You and your people outnumber our
party many times, and it is indisputable that you have it in your power
in consequence to make us very uncomfortable; but, for all that, you are
absolutely at our mercy; and therefore it will be greatly to your
advantage to treat us well. You will perhaps understand this better if
I inform you that your plot against Johnson has been betrayed" (he did
not think it necessary to explain that, as far as he knew, the only
betrayal of it had been in the incautious words uttered by the Greek
himself at the opening of their present conversation); "and that if he
does not return _neither will the brig_; and then how will you be
situated! You could possibly contrive to exist for a year upon the
provisions left on the island; you might even, aided by the productions
of the island itself, find sustenance for many years. But would the
spending of the rest of your lives on this island be in accordance with
your plans and wishes? And do you not think it possible that Johnson,
in revenge for your plot against him, may find means to direct some
cruiser to your hiding-place? Your imagination, I take it, is vivid
enough to picture the consequences of any such step on his part."
"We shall have the battery and the schooner," muttered Ralli.
"Yes," said Lance, "_if we build them for you_; not otherwise. There is
not a man on this island, outside our own party, who could complete the
schooner, much less build the battery. Now, do you begin to understand
that I was only speaking the truth when I spoke of your being at our
mercy."
Ralli was silent. He stood with knitted brows intently cogitating for
some minutes; then suddenly looking up into Lance's face with a smile he
said--
"Ah, bah! what obtuse people you English are; how impossible for you to
understand a little joke! Well, I will joke no more since you cannot
understand it. We will be good friends all round; the best of friends;
you shall have no cause to complain of bad treatment; and you will work
_hard_ to finish the schooner and the battery _early_, please. I like
not what you said just now about Johnson and the frigate. But that too
was all a joke I know."
"You are mistaken," said Lance. "I confess I was dense enough not to
understand that you were joking, so I spoke in earnest. But I think we
clearly understand each other now; so I hope we shall hear no more about
threats, revenge, and nonsense of that kind."
And flinging his cigar-end into the water, Lance turned on his heel and
walked away.
Knowing, or at least shrewdly guessing that Ralli was watching him, he
sauntered away in his usual careless and easy fashion toward the hut,
which they had laughingly dubbed "Staunton Cottage," and entered it.
The ladies were busying themselves about various domestic tasks, and
little May was amusing herself with an uncouth wooden doll which Bob had
constructed for her. Lance was a prime favourite with May, so the
moment that he entered the doll was flung into a corner, and the child
came bounding up to him joyously exclaiming--
"Oh, you funny Mr Evelin, how is it that you have not gone with my
papa? Did you stay at home on purpose to play with me?"
"Well, not exactly, little one," answered Lance, catching her in his
arms and tossing her high in the air, to her infinite delight. "Not
exactly; although a man might be worse employed than in amusing you, you
mischievous little fairy. No; I am going to papa presently--and would
you like to come with me, May, in a nice little boat?"
"I don't know," answered the child doubtfully. "How far is it? I don't
think I like boats."
"No, you poor little mite, I expect not; it would be wonderful if you
did after what you have suffered in them," remarked Lance, holding the
child now in his arms, while she played with his long beard. "But we
shall not have very far to go, pet; only over to that big rock,"
pointing out of the window, "and I will take great care of you."
"And shall I see my papa?" inquired May.
"Oh, yes," was the reply; "you will be with him all day. And Robert is
over there too, you know; and I daresay he will play with you if you ask
him prettily."
"Then I'll go," she decided promptly; and forthwith went away to her
mother with the request that her hat and jacket might be put on, "'cause
I's going with Mr Evelin to see papa," as she explained.
"I daresay you are somewhat surprised to see me here," remarked Lance,
as he replaced his tiny playfellow on the floor. "The fact is that I
have been watching the departure of the brig; and the idea has occurred
to me that now she is gone, and so many of the remaining men are away at
the shipyard all day, you ladies may with, I believe, perfect safety
indulge in the unwonted luxury of a daylight walk. You all stand
greatly in need of fresh air and exercise; and I really think there is
now no cause to fear any molestation, otherwise I should not of course
suggest such a thing. It will never do, you know, for you to remain
cooped up here day after day--you will get low-spirited and out of
health; and I am inclined to believe it will be rather a good idea than
otherwise to accustom these fellows to the sight of you moving freely
and fearlessly about."
The ladies were quite unanimous in their cordial welcome to this
suggestion, Blanche only venturing to add in a whisper, and with a
pleading look--
"Can you not come with us, Lance? We should feel _quite_ safe then."
"I really could not, darling," he answered gently. "It would not be
fair to the others, you know. Beside which, I am urgently wanted at the
yard to-day, and we must not let pleasure, however tempting, interfere
with the progress of the schooner. I should like it immensely, of
course, and if I thought there was the least particle of danger in your
expedition I _would_ go; but I believe there is none. At the same time,
you will of course keep your eyes open, dear, and be on the watch for
any suspicious circumstance; and if you really _must_ have an escort,
there is Dale; shall I ask him?"
"Oh, Dale!" ejaculated Blanche with such a contemptuous toss of her
pretty little head that Lance said no more; it was sufficiently evident
that the ladies would be badly in want of an escort indeed before they
would accept Dale.
The three ladies were soon ready; and as they took their way up the
valley Lance stood at the door with May on his shoulder, watching them;
and when at last they passed out of sight he made his way down to the
landing-place, seated the child carefully in the stern of a small dingy
which he found moored there, cast off the painter, stepped in himself,
and, shipping the short paddles, drove the tiny boat with long easy
leisurely strokes down toward the rock, chatting gaily with his tiny
companion the while, and causing her childish laughter to peal musically
and incessantly across the placid surface of the land-locked water.