Caught in a Cobzveb. 121 



ship. You want to mend your web ; very good. 

 I'm not anxious to stay in it, and you can do noth- 

 ing while I am here. Give me your assistance, then, 

 and I will go quietly away without hurting you. 

 Come, what do you say ? " 



The spider partly opened his mouth, as if about 

 to speak, but ended by saying nothing. 



His appearance, however, was so terrifying, and 

 his fangs looked so cruel, that Buz could hardly 

 prevent her voice from trembling as she continued, 

 " Have you any argument against what I propose ? 

 Tell me that, at any rate." 



The spider spoke at last, and as he slowly moved 

 his jaws, his fangs swept round like scythes. 



" You are my prisoner," said he : " that's my argu- 

 ment." 



He spoke with such contemptuous confidence, 

 that Buz was struck dumb for the moment, and could 

 think of nothing to say. 



"A good argument, too," continued the spider; 

 " good enough for me." 



There was a long pause, during which Buz strug- 

 gled hard to throw off the feeling of dismay which 

 had crept over her. 



" At any rate," she said at last ; " if I am unable 

 to get out, you, on the other hand, dare not come 



