"They dumped me in a bush a gunshot from the road. That's where I was when I came to. I would have been pretty badly situated, for I couldn't walk, if a passing countryman hadn't heard my shouts for help and taken me to Saltern in his cart.
"I sent for the doctor, feeling pretty bad. Apart from my arm, and a twisted ankle, a great number of bruises and two cuts on the head, I was in excellent condition, he told me ironically, and sent me to bed. And here I am."
Dare and Ben, who had hitherto restrained their feelings, now broke into excited comment.
"Of all the dirty, underhand, mean ways of fighting!" exclaimed Dare.
"Did you know any of them, cap'n?" asked Ben, who had for a few minutes relapsed into the language of the fo'c'sle without rebuke.
"No," replied the captain, "I didn't recognize their voices and I didn't see their faces. As I've said, they came on me from behind. And when I did glimpse their faces I was too dazed and stunned to see them clearly. All I discovered was that Payter didn't want me killed, though who Payter is I don't know. I've never heard the name mentioned here."
"He might be the leader of the gang," suggested Dare.
"I've thought so myself," said his father.
"There was no doubtin' but that 'twas the smugglers who bate you, cap'n?" asked Ben.
"Who else would it be?" returned the captain.