He took my arm and marched me quickly to the ladder and down to his cabin. On the way I caught sight of Barkins and Smith watching us, and I gave them a nod.
“Now, my lad, sit down,” cried Mr Reardon excitedly. “Let’s hear.”
I sat down, and he walked to and fro—two steps and turn.
“There’s very little more to tell you, sir,” I said; “but there are two very large junks assuming to be merchantmen. They are anchored close by here somewhere.”
“You don’t know which two?”
“No, sir; but we shall know them by their sailing at once, and I should say by boats coming off to them with extra men directly after.”
“Yes, that’s good, Herrick—very good. But you have no other information about them?”
“Only, sir, that they are just off on a cruise, and if we could catch them—”
“We will catch them, my lad. But is that all?”
“Yes, sir, that’s all; I thought it rather big news.”