"Nay," says she, "did you not tell Dom Sebastian that Rodrigues would come here?"
"To be sure, I don't want Rodrigues to catch Dom Sebastian unprepared; but as for our peril, I don't value it a snap of my fingers."
Hearing the name of Rodrigues coupled with his own, the governor, who had been eyeing us pretty shrewdly, stepped forward, and after apologizing for the intrusion, begged Lady Biddy to serve as our interpreter, and ask me whether I felt any anxiety with regard to my position; whereupon the following dialogue ensued:
I: "We may all go to bed and sleep comfortably to-night. But 'twill not do to lie abed to-morrow morning."
He: "You do not apprehend any immediate attack from the pirate?"
I: "No; for the reason that he is not in a position to offer it. You see how he has been making for the shore, and how now he is standing out; that shows that the wind is all against him, but it also proves his design to come hither."
He: "Why?"
I: "Because the ship's company are famished, and would never consent to work the ship at such a snail's pace unless Rodrigues could make them believe there was a town here to furnish them with all they need. They are not making half a league an hour. Unless the wind shifts to their advantage—and I see no likelihood of that—they will not be here ere midday to-morrow."
He: "What, in your opinion, will Rodrigues do then?"
I: "He will do his best to hoodwink and deceive you."