Voices in eager, quick conversation came to his ears long before his eyes could take in the situation.
Soon he saw that they were in a broad, bare cellar; three men in heavy black beards were in earnest conversation with several of his captors; all were gesticulating fiercely.
His Newport companion enlightened him, between puffs of the pipe he was struggling with.

"Here's where we say good-bye, young fellow.

We turn you over to these gents, whoever they are.

I'm sort of out of it when they get to jabberin' among themselves.

I can understand 'em when they talk slow, but, say, did you ever hear a flock of Union Square sparrows chirp faster than them fellers is talkin' now?
Nix.