A minute later the officer of the watch came down to announce the arrival of a couple of Indians bearing news.
“It’s the old story, sir, vamped up to get a bottle of rum; but I thought I’d better report it to you. Shall I kick them, and let them go!”
“No,” said the captain, shortly, for he was ready now to snatch at straws. “What does the man say?”
“There are two of them, sir; and they say the pirate vessel is to be found a day’s journey to the south, and that they have seen it lying at anchor.”
“Do they seem honest!”
“Honest as Indians, sir. I think it’s all made up.”
“I’ll come and see them.”
The captain rose and went on deck, where he found a couple of soft, brown, plump-looking Indians, with large, dreamy eyes and languid manner, seated upon their heels near the gangway, where they could give a glance from time to time at their canoe swinging by a frail-looking bark rope.
The men did not stir as the captain came up, but crouched in their old position, gazing up at him furtively.
“Now,” he said, sharply, “where is this pirate ship?”