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.
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