If we do not receive the ransom--why, then, the life of a bird is a little thing! We shall put you to death." Ian combated the profound mistake.

What was the use?
They did not expect him to speak truth, but they were convinced that they had the truth themselves.

At last it came, on his part, to a titanic whimsicalness of assent.

At least, assenting, he would not die in the immediate hour! Stubbornly refuse to do their bidding, and his thread of life would be cut here and now.
"All events grow to seem unintelligible masks! So why quarrel with one mask more?
Pen, ink, and paper ?" All were produced.
"I must write in English ?" "That is understood, senor.

Now this--and this--is what you are to write in English." The captive made a correct guess that not more than one or two of the captors could read Spanish, and none at all English.
"Nevertheless, senor," said the chief, "you will know that if the gold is not put in that place and after that fashion that I tell you, we shall let you die, and that not easily! So we think that you will not make English mistakes any more than Spanish ones." Ian nodded.