I nodded my head, a light at once breaking upon me.
“It is quite likely,� I answered, “now it is certain.�
At this moment our further conversation was interrupted by a hail. To our great amazement we heard in that lonely island my own name called! That hail could only come from a survivor of the ship. It confirmed our surmises about the shot.
“Master Hampdon,� the cry came to us, “will you respect a flag of truce? If so, show yourself at the opening and I shall do the same.�
“Don’t go,� cried my little mistress, hearing all, “they are utterly without honor, and—�
“I think it will be best for me to appear,� I said. “Stand clear so that if any treacherous movement be made I shall have space to leap backward, and meanwhile look to your weapons.�
I examined my own pistols and then calling out loudly that I would faithfully observe the flag of truce, I stepped out into the open. There below me on the edge of the glade, convenient to a tree behind which he could leap, for the rascal trusted me apparently as little as I trusted him, stood the wretch, Pimball. Back of him beneath the trees I distinguished Glibby and a number of the crew, nearly all of them, I should judge, and back of these were massed the savages. Pimball had a white neckcloth tied to the muzzle of his gun.
“Good morning, Master Hampdon,� he began suavely.
To that salutation I made no reply. I did not deign even to pass the time of day with such a man as he.
“Say what you have to say and be quick about it,� I said haughtily, but he looked past me and took off his hat with a profound sweep.