He debated again and again all he had heard, and came to the conclusion that if he said anything it must be to the captain himself.
One morning Bart’s manner showed that something had occurred. His sour face wore a smile, and he was evidently greatly relieved of his responsibility as he said to the prisoner:
“There, you can go out.”
“Has the captain returned?”
Bart delivered himself of a short nod.
“Tell him I wish to see him. Bid him come here.”
“What! the skipper? You mean, ask him if I may take you to him, and he’ll see you.”
“I said, Tell your skipper to come here!” said Humphrey, drawing himself up and speaking as if he were on the quarterdeck. “Tell him I wish to see him at once.”
Bart drew a long breath, and wrinkled up his forehead so that it seemed as if he had an enormous weight upon his head. Then, smiling grimly, he slowly left the place.
The buccaneer, who looked anxious and dispirited, was listening to some complaint made by his lieutenant, and angry words were passing which made Bart as he heard them hasten his steps, and look sharply from one to the other as he entered.