Gillam waited.
"Have you lost a man, Ben?"
"No," boldly lied Gillam.
"Has one run away from the island against orders?"
"No, devil take me, if I've lost a hand but the supercargo that I killed."
"I had thought that was yours," said Radisson, with contempt for the ruffian's boast; and he handed out the paper taken from Jack.
Ben staggered back with a great oath, vowing he would have the scalp of the traitor who lost that letter. Both stood silent, each contemplating the other. Then M. Radisson spoke.
"Ben," said he, never taking his glance from the young fellow's face, "what will you give me if I guide you to your father this afternoon? I have just come from Captain Gillam. He and his crew are ill of the scurvy. Dress as a coureur and I pass you for a Frenchman."
"My father!" cried Ben with his jaws agape and his wits at sea.
"Pardieu—yes, I said your father!"