We escaped in a small boat last evening, and have been floating about
since."
"The _Sea Gull_? Do you remember the name, Mr. Smith?"
"No, sir; perhaps a description--"
"A schooner-rigged steam yacht," I explained briefly, "clearing from
New Orleans for Santiago."
The two exchanged glances.
"I begin to see light," said the Captain calmly. "I think the _Sea
Gull_ must have originally sailed as the _Mary Somers_. Do you happen
to know, sir, where she was really bound, and the nature of her cargo?"
"I do; Spanish Honduras, with munitions of war."
"Exactly, under command of a half-breed named Henley. By Gad, Smith,
this sounds too good to be true."
He walked across the cabin twice, thinking, not even glancing up as he
passed us. Suddenly he stopped, facing me.
"Where did he get you two?"
"In a bayou off the Alabama coast."
"And you got away last evening--how?"
"By imprisoning the Captain and steward below; I was obliged to knock
the first mate overboard, but we were unseen by any others. Let me
tell you the whole story; it will scarcely require five minutes."
He nodded his head, walking back and forth as I reviewed the events
swiftly. I hardly think he asked so much as a single question, his
eyes upon my face and then upon the face of the girl.
Pages:
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295