“Yes? Well?” exclaimed the captain and several of the officers, listening eagerly.
“The captain landed here; brought us the first news of the war which, you may judge, much astonished and grieved us. He proclaimed himself a Confederate privateer, sailing under letters of marque from his government. He drank more brandy than was good for him, and went to sleep on the floor. In the afternoon his crew mutinied, deposed him from his command, put another man in his place and sailed without him.”
“Good! Where did you say the fellow is now?”
“On this island! in this house! He has been here ever since he was abandoned by his ship, of course. He is now ready to give himself up to you. You will treat him, I hope, as a prisoner of war.”
“That, as it may be. I must see and question the fellow first,” said the captain of the Xyphias.
Justin went out and returned, accompanied by Spear.
The prisoner walked straight up to the captain of the Xyphias, whom he recognized by his uniform, saluted him, and said:
“Sir, I am Captain Spear, of the Confederate ship Sea Scourge. I surrender myself to you, claiming the usage of a prisoner of war. If I had a sword I would hand it over; but I have none.”
CHAPTER XXXIII.
LEAVING THE ISLAND.
The next day was a busy one to our islanders.