“You could show us the way in?” said Murray.
“Why, didn’t I say I could?” replied the man sharply.
“Yes; but I should like to have a glimpse of her first,” said Murray.
“What for, youngster? To let her know that you’re coming? You take my advice, mister, and come upon her sudden like.”
The lieutenant gazed intently upon the man.
“Yes; I should like to reconnoitre a bit first. With your assistance we ought to be able to run our boats close up under the shelter of the trees and see what she is like.”
“See what she’s like, mister? Why, like any other schooner. You take my advice; you’ll slip off and fetch your ship, and I’ll wait here till you come back.”
Murray looked at the man searchingly, for somehow a sense of doubt began to trouble him as to the man’s trustworthiness, and the lad began to turn over the position in his mind. For though the man’s story seemed to be reasonable enough, an element of suspicion began to creep in and he began to long to ask the lieutenant as to what he thought about the matter.
But he did not speak, for the keen-looking American’s eyes were upon him, and when they shifted it was only for them to be turned upon the lieutenant.
“Wal,” he said at last, “whatcher thinking about, mister?”