Page:Harry Castlemon - The Steel Horse.djvu/211

 "Isn't there any law to punish a captain for taking men to sea against their will?" asked Roy.

"Not on the high seas," was the reply. "The only law there is outside is the cap'n's will. How come you aboard here in the first place?" Roy explained the situation as briefly as he could, whereupon the sailor laughed incredulously.

"That crew of your'n must be into the plot," said he.

"What plot?" inquired Roy.

"Why, isn't there somebody ashore who don't want you there, and who would be glad to have you carried so far away that you would never get back again?"

"Of course there isn't," said Roy, amazed at the idea.

"Then it's mighty strange," continued the sailor, reflectively. "The wind don't blow to hurt anything, and that crew of your'n could have taken you to the city if they had been so minded."

"You're mistaken there. They dared not