Others swore that Death-wing and most of his crew had been drowned.
But old Nettles knew differently.
Yes; but how?
Through the agency of Sea-Hawk and his smuggler band.
For when Sea-Hawk and his party had been decoyed on to, and afterwards beaten away from the Phantom Ship, they rowed rapidly to their cave again.
Later in the night, however, the sounds of distant fire-arms, and the booming of cannon over the ocean aroused their curiosity.
They took to their boats again, and sallied forth.
At a respectful distance from the scene of conflict, the Smuggler Chief had witnessed all, and was not slow to inform his old companion, Nettles, of the particulars.
When, therefore, Nettles went into the village-barber’s shop to get shaved, the tonsorial professor was very loquacious, and, at great length, told him all he had heard about the conflict.
“Don’t be such an ass, Mr. Barber,” said Nettles, waiting for his turn. “Don’t be such an ass as to tell such idle tales. I tell thee that Ned Warbeck or Wildfire Ned was not killed, nor brave Lieutenant Garnet either, for Ned rescued Lord Walton’s sister from the sinking ship, and she is now safe and sound at the abbey again.”