The patron of the boat replied to this cry in the opposite manner; that is to say, he uttered at first two short, quick cries, followed by a prolonged cry.
“Those are persons from the chebec, and the spy, no doubt,” said Trimalcyon.
In fact the long-boat was already at the first seat of the rowers. The spy climbed to the deck of the galley.
“What news from Hyères?” said Pog to him.
“Bad for Marseilles, captain; the galleys of the Marquis de Brézé, coming from Naples, anchored there yesterday.”
“Who told you that?” asked Pog.
“Two bargemasters. I entered a hostelry to beg an alms, and these bargemasters were talking about it. Some mule-drivers, coming from the west, heard the same thing at St. Tropez.”
“And what rumour on the coast?”
“They are alarmed at La Ciotat.”
Pog waved his hand, and the spy retired.