"Spit it out, young feller! Swear like a man, not like a damn canary bird."
Truxton tried hard to pierce the darkness, a strange thrill passing through his veins. The hidden speaker was unquestionably an American.
"What the devil does all this mean?" demanded the captive. "Where am I?"
"It means business, and you're here, that's where you are," was the sarcastic answer.
"Are you an American?"
"No. I'm a Chinaman."
"Oh, come off! Answer square."
"Well, I was born in Newport." As an afterthought: "Kentucky."
"You're in a damned nice business, I'll say that for you," growled Truxton. "Who is responsible for this outrage?"
He heard the man yawn prodigiously. "Depends on what you call an outrage."
"This is the damnedest high-handed outrage I've ever--"
"Better save your breath, young feller. You won't have it very long, so save what you can of it."
Truxton was silent for a moment, analysing this unique remark. "You mean I am to stop breathing altogether?"
"Something like that."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know? Well, who does?"
"You'll find out when the boss gets good and ready."
"You are a fine American!"
"Look here, young feller, I've been polite to you, so don't get gay. I'll come over there and kick your jaw in."
"Come ahead. Anything to break the monotony."
"Didn't you get enough of the hangman's knot and the sandbag? Want more, eh? Well, if I wasn't so darned comfortable I'd come over there and give it to you. Now don't rile me!"
"I deserve to be kicked for being such a blithering fool as to get into this mess. Come on and kick me."
"You wanted to get a poke at the old man's eye, did ye? By thunder, that's like an American. Never satisfied to let things alone. See what it got you into?"
"The old man's eye? What old man?"
"That's for you to find out, if you can. You've made a hell of a poor start at it."
"You're a good-natured scoundrel"
"Thanks for them kind words."
"Well, what are you going to do with me? I don't like the air in here. It's awful. How long do I stay here?"
"Say, you're a gritty little man. I like your nerve. Too bad we ain't on the same side. I'll tell you this: you won't be here long. How would the old girl down there put it? You're going on a long voyage. That's it. But first we'll get out of this rat hole, just as soon as them other guys come back from the cave. You'll get fresh air purty soon. Now, don't talk any more. I'm through gossipin'!"