“Think so, sir?” I said respectfully.
“Sure of it, my lad;” and he walked off to join the captain, while just then Ching came up softly and pointed forward.
“Big ship,” he said. “Pilate; all afire.”
“Think so?”
Ching nodded.
“Hallo, Gnat, what does the first luff say?” asked Barkins, who joined us then.
“Thinks it’s a vessel cast ashore by the pirates.”
“Maybe. I should say it’s one got on the reef from bad seamanship.”
“And want of a Tanner on board to set them right,” said Smith.
“Skipper’s coming,” whispered Barkins; and we separated.