Manchurian Books

This left wrist and hand still free and with
them he twisted the other cord around the right wrist; drew a similar
knot. His hands were now in the exact position that Huldricksson's had
been on the Brunhilda but with cords and knots hanging loose. Then Da
Costa reached down his head, took a leather end in his teeth and with
a jerk drew the thong that noosed his left hand tight; similarly he
drew tight the second.
He strained at his fetters. There before my eyes he had pinioned
himself so that without aid he could not release himself. And he was
exactly as Huldricksson had been!
"You will have to cut me loose, sair," he said. "I cannot move them.
It is an old trick on these seas. Sometimes it is necessary that a man
stand at the wheel many hours without help, and he does this so that
if he sleep the wheel wake him, yes, sair."
I looked from him to the man on the bed.
"But why, sair," said Da Costa slowly, "did Olaf have to tie his
hands?"
I looked at him, uneasily.
"I don't know," I answered.


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