Part 33 (1/2)

”I don't see the Yankee captain,” said Mr Munday, searching the side of the vessel, which was now flying English colours.

”You think that fellow with the lugger was the captain?” asked Murray.

”Not a doubt of it,” was the reply. ”I wonder what he'll have the impudence to say.”

”He'll sing a different song, sir,” said Roberts, ”if he is on board.”

”If? Why, of course he'll be on board; eh, Murray?”

”Most likely, sir; but won't he be playing fox in some fresh way? He may be in hiding.”

”If he is he'll come out when he finds a prize crew on board, and that his schooner is on its way to Capecoast Castle or the Cape. But I don't see him, nor any of the sharp-looking fellows who formed his lugger's crew.”

”No, sir,” said Murray, who was standing up shading his eyes with his hand. ”I hope--”

The middy stopped short.

”Well, go on, sir,” cried the lieutenant--”hope what?”

”That we are not making a mistake.”

”Oh, impossible! There can't be two of such schooners.”

”But we only had a glimpse of the other, sir, as she sailed down the river half hidden by the trees,” said Murray.

”Look here, Mr Murray, if you can't speak sensibly you'd better hold your tongue,” said the lieutenant angrily. ”The captain and Mr Anderson are not likely to make a mistake. Everybody on board was of opinion that this is the same vessel.”

”Then I've made a mistake, sir,” said the mids.h.i.+pman. ”But that can't be the skipper, sir,” and he drew attention to a short, stoutish, sun-browned man who was looking over the side.

”Of course it is not, sir. Some English-looking fellow picked to throw us off our guard.”

But the officer in charge began to look uneasy as he scanned the vessel they were rapidly nearing, till the cutter was rowed alongside, several of the crew now plainly showing themselves and looking uncommonly like ordinary merchant sailors as they leaned over the bulwarks.

Directly after the c.o.xswain hooked on, and the lieutenant, followed by two middies and four of the well-armed sailors sprang on board, to be greeted with a gruff--

”Morning. What does this here mean?”

”Why didn't you heave to, sir?” cried the lieutenant sharply.

”'Cause I was below, asleep,” said the st.u.r.dy-looking skipper. ”Are you the captain of that brig?”

”No, sir. What vessel's this?”

”Because,” said the skipper, ignoring the question, ”you'd better tell your captain to be careful. He might have done us some mischief. Any one would think you took me for a pirate.”

The lieutenant made no reply for a minute or two, being, like his two young companions, eagerly scanning the rather slovenly deck and the faces of the small crew, who were looking at their invaders apparently with wonder.

”Never mind what we took you for,” said the lieutenant sharply, and in a tone of voice which to Murray suggested doubt. ”Answer me at once.

What schooner's this?”

”Don't be waxy, sir,” said the skipper, smiling good-humouredly.