“Humph! Yes; but I suppose it’s all right, for the lugger keeps on. We must be on the correct course if we follow him.”
“Beg pardon, sir,” said Murray excitedly. “I caught sight of the masts of a vessel lying yonder.”
“Eh? Where, Mr Murray?” said the captain, in a low voice full of excitement.
“Yonder, sir, about half a mile to starboard, beyond the trees on the bank.”
“To be sure! Tall taper spars. I see, Mr Murray.”
“But the sloop is running straight away to port, sir,” said the lieutenant anxiously.
“Well, what of that, Mr Anderson? Did not the American tell you that we were to follow certain bends of the river?”
“Yes, sir, but—”
“Yes, sir, but!” said the captain, in an angry whisper. “Is this a time for raising buts? According to your own showing, the schooner was to be found at anchor in one of the bends where the black chief’s town lay.”
“Yes, sir, but I see no sign of any thatched huts.”