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198 got a fat fee from Ramon Delverez for taking us off, and now he was bound to save expenses by making us work as sailors.

"Mark, we seem to be utterly cornered," observed Oliver, after a long and painful silence.

"I must acknowledge that it looks like it," I returned. "But perhaps something will turn up."

"Do you think we made a mistake in not offering to become sailors?"

"No. If we had accepted the offer Captain Marcale couldn't very well be held for carrying us off. Many a sailor is dragged away from a boarding house, but if he submits that ends the matter. I believe in fighting to the end."

"He may starve us to death."

"I don't think he will dare to do that."

"Such men as Ramon Delverez and Captain Marcale are capable of doing anything in the criminal line." Oliver gave a long sigh. "And poor Dan, he may be worse off than either of us!"

"That is true. Move a bit closer."

"What for?"

"I want to untie your hands and feet. Then you can do the same for me."

"But what good will it do? This hold is a regular box. We can't climb up on deck."

"We can move around anyway," I said, and