"You know Flint then?" I broke in upon him.
He shook his head.
"Know him? Oh, no, young gentleman; I don't know no bloody villains like that. I ha' seen 'em, yes—a sight too many of 'em, as ye might say. And suffered most terrible at their hands; but I make no doubt the Lord is decided I ha' suffered my portion, seein' that this last time He delivered me safe and sound out o' the scoundrels' hands."
"Was it off Sandy Hook they attacked you?" I inquired.
"Off Sandy Hook?" he repeated. "Maybe 'twas so, young gentleman. We took small reckoning o' where we were. Our one thought was to make port whole and safe."
"But I see they hulled you?" I pressed him.
"That?" he answered. "Oh, yes; but— May I make bold to ask, sir, ha' other vessels been chased off New York port, do you know?"
I pointed to where Captain Farraday's craft swung at her anchor a scant quarter-mile above the brig.
"That Bristol packet ran the notorious Captain Rip-Rap tops'ls down but yester-morning," I told him.
His brows knit together in a frown, apparently of thought.