"Will you see him here?"

"I can't help myself."

"If M. Lemaire comes, will you be sensible? Will you tell him all that
he wants to know about your boat and your work?"

"Not if I'm in my right mind!"

"If you continue stubborn, Captain Benson, you will die here, of thirst
and hunger."

"Perhaps," admitted Jack, more soberly. "But it will be a full-size
man's death, won't it?"

"Oh, you think, then, that you are not afraid to die of thirst and
hunger?"

"Since others have done it," retorted Jack, "I suppose I can, if I
have to."

"If you have to?" rasped the Frenchman.

"Do you doubt, then, that we would bring such a fate upon you?"

"I don't believe there's anything too low and cowardly for your crowd
to stoop to it," admitted Jack Benson, with spirit.

"Have a care, young man!"