“Explains what?”
“Why, how you—why now—how you could be a pirate, too, just as natural as us.”
“I have read it many a time,” said I.
“Wasn’t you never a pirate?” asked Jean Lafitte.
“No,” said I, smiling, “although many have said my father was. He was very rich.”
“Well, you can talk just like us,” said Jean Lafitte admiringly, “even if you have lost all.”
“Of course,” said I exultingly. “Why not? I think as you do. As much as you I am disgusted with the dulness of life. I, too, wish to seek my fortune. Well then, why not, John Saunders? Why not, James Henderson?”
Ah, now indeed illusion halted! Both boys, abashed, fell back in their chairs. “How did you know our names?” asked the older of the two at length.
“Nay, fear not,” said I. “I do but seek to prove my fitness to join the jolly brotherhood, good mates.”
“Aw, honest!” rejoined Jimmy; “you got to tell us how you knew.”