“I’m not sure, my lad, but we shall soon know.”
We sat watching the fine well-built barque, as the men pulled lustily at their oars, making the water flash and the distance grow shorter. Then all at once my companion said shortly—
“Pirates.”
“Where, where?” I said eagerly, and my hand went to my dirk.
Mr Brooke laughed, and I saw all the men showing their teeth.
“No, no, my lad,” he said. “I meant this was the work of pirates.”
“How do you know, sir?”
“Look at those ropes and sheets hanging loose. They have been cut. The barque has not been in a storm either. She has just gone on to the rocks and the fore-topmast evidently snapped with the shock.”
“And the smoke? Is that from the forecastle?”
He shook his head, and stood up in the boat, after handing me the lines, while he remained scanning the vessel attentively.