Not he was only going to be towed! The rope was paid out for a hundred feet and Frycollin found himself hanging in space.
He could then shout at his ease.

But fright contracted his larynx, and he was mute.
Uncle Prudent and Phil Evans endeavored to prevent this performance.
They were thrust aside.
"It is scandalous! It is cowardly!" said Uncle Prudent, quite beside himself with rage.
"Indeed!" said Robur.
"It is an abuse of power against which I protest." "Protest away!" "I will be avenged, Mr.Robur." "Avenge when you like, Mr.Prudent." "I will have my revenge on you and yours." The crew began to close up with anything but peaceful intentions.
Robur motioned them away.
"Yes, on you and yours!" said Uncle Prudent, whom his colleague in vain tried to keep quiet.
"Whenever you please!" said the engineer.
"And in every possible way!" "That is enough now," said Robur, in a threatening tone.

"There are other ropes on board.

And if you don't be quiet I'll treat you as I have done your servant!" Uncle Prudent was silent, not because he was afraid, but because his wrath had nearly choked him; and Phil Evans led him off to his cabin.
During the last hour the air had been strangely troubled.

The symptoms could not be mistaken.