CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
THE TIGHTENING OF THE CHAINS.
There was something very grim and suggestive about the captain's behaviour to the two boys later on towards evening, when he came and stood glaring down at them, where they sat in the sand.

He had said a few words to one of the men, who went up into the back of the cavern while the other waited; and Vince noted that there was a splashing sound round the corner of the buttress which supported one side of the great arch, so that he was not surprised directly after to see the prow of a boat appear, to be run in and beached upon the sand.
Vince looked up inquiringly when the smuggling captain came and stood before him; but the man did not speak--he only glared down, apparently with the idea that he was frightening the lads horribly.

Vince did not shrink, for he did not feel frightened, only troubled about home and the despondency there, as the time went by without news of their fate.

For it was evident to him that the time had come for them to be taken on board ready for the lugger to sail.
The second man came back with some fine line in his hand.
"_Vite_--tight!" said the captain laconically.
"You're not going to tie us ?" said Vince, flushing.
"Yais, bose togezaire," said the Frenchman, with a grin of satisfaction at seeing the boy moved to indignant protest.
"But if we say we will not try to escape ?" cried Vince.
"I vill not believes you.

_Non, mon ami_, ve have enough of ze _peine_ to _attraper_ you again.