Fortunately Jacques had gone below at the same time as Ralph; and when
the boys, finding that their taunts had no effect whatever upon Ralph,
began to get bolder, and one of them snatched off his cap, Jacques
interfered at once. "Look here, youngsters," he said, "this young
English boy is at present one of the crew of this brig, and he has
just the same right to fair treatment as any one else, so I warn you
if you interfere with him you will have to fight him fairly. I know
enough of these English boys to know that with your hands you would
not have the least chance with him. He could thrash you both at once;
for even little English boys do not wrestle, tear, and kick, but hit
straight out just as the men do.

"With swords it would be different, but in a row between you and him
it would be just the naked hands. So I advise you to leave him alone,
for if you make him fight I will see fair play. All the time I was a
prisoner in England I was well treated by his people, and just as I
was treated myself and saw other French prisoners treated so I will
see him treated. Before this voyage is over it is not impossible the
tables will be turned, and that you may find yourselves prisoners in
the hands of the English; so I recommend you to behave to him in the
same way you would like to be treated yourselves if you were taken
prisoners. I can see the lad is good-tempered and willing. He is a
stranger here among us all, he can't speak a word of our language, and
he has a right to fair treatment. When he gets to know our language
he will be able to shift for himself; but until he does I mean to look
after him, and any one who plays tricks on him has got to talk to me."

As Jacques Clery was one of the most powerful and active men on board
the brig, this assertion was sufficient to put a stop to practical
joking with Ralph, and the lad had a much easier time of it than he