"Baptiste, is that you?"
"Here I am, captain. A lovely night, is it not?"
"Sit down here," said Carew, "and speak to me. No one can overhear us here, I think."
"No; it will be all right if we do not raise our voices," replied Baptiste, looking round.
"How is this going to end?" whispered Carew.
"What do you mean, captain?"
"How are we four to seize a vessel with a crew of seventeen strong men on board?"
"Strong men, indeed!" replied the Frenchman. "They will be as weak as babies in a few days' time. By the way, I see that you did not omit to bring your medicine chest on board with you."
Carew shuddered. "Poison!" he whispered, in a terrified voice. "Do you mean that?"
"Why not, captain? It is a merciful and painless death if the right stuff is used."