“Of course I will leave you, if you do not wish me here, but gratitude would not let me keep silent. I know, from what you said last night, that you have a good heart, and henceforth conscience is to be your master and guide.”
And without looking to see the effect of her words, Inez left the captain to his own thoughts.
Abram Storms, with folded arms, was intently watching him, and he carefully studied his countenance. He was still doing so, when Inez turned her back upon Sanders. Mr. Storms noted the strange expression on the handsome countenance, and just then Sanders turned and looked straight at the man before the latter could withdraw his gaze. As their eyes met, he signaled to Storms to approach, and the latter, with no little wonderment and some misgiving, did so.
“Mr. Storms,” said he, “that double canoe off yonder has twenty-three pirates on board.”
“I suspected as much,” coolly replied the other.
“And a set of worse villains cannot be found in the South Seas.”
“I am sure you are quite right.”
“These two men that I have on board belong to the same crew.”
“Indeed! I hadn’t thought of that.”