Peter's little eyes twinkled behind their protective rolls of fat.
"Ja, you been pretty smart, Murray. But der smart feller, he has to look oudt or he gets too smart. Ja! Andt when he gets too smart he is in trouble."
Coupeau's hideous mask of a face showed in the companionway entrance.
"Oui, m'sieu?" he growled.
"Ah, Coupeau," answered Murray. "A strange sail approaches the island, perhaps Flint, perhaps another. To us it matters not. We must entrench ourselves ashore. The treasure and sufficient stores for two weeks' sojourn will be shifted to the stockaded fort on the hill north of Captain Kidd's anchorage. The men must work all night again if necessary. Do you understand?"
"Oui, m'sieu," replied the gunner.
"That is well. You will rout them out at once."
"Oui, m'sieu."
And Coupeau clumped off down the companionway. A moment later his hoarse voice split the quiet of the ship as he commenced to bark his orders.
"A stout fellow, Coupeau," commented my great-uncle. "I have never regretted the salvaging of him. But perhaps it would be as well if we went on deck and lent him moral support."