The next minute his attention was taken by the beautiful country spreading out beyond the shore, a quarter of a mile away across the sparkling waters of the harbour.
But there was something else to take his attention during the next minute, for there was the clanking of irons, and he saw Humpy Dee and his five companions marched up from below to be called to where he was standing with Nic.
The poachers looked repellent enough as they followed Humpy Dee’s example, and scowled at the pair who had come up from the sick bay, and seemed to receive little sympathy from those who were looking on. Then there was an order given by one of the officers, and the crew of the boat climbed quickly in, while the marines came up behind the prisoners.
“They’re going to take us ashore,” thought Pete excitedly, and the idea had hardly been grasped, before a couple of old hats were handed to him and his companion by the sergeant of marines.
“They’re going to put uz with Humpy and that lot,” said Pete to himself excitedly; “and I must speak now.”
He spoke. It was hurriedly and blunderingly done, and the officer whom he addressed looked at him frowningly.
“What!” he cried; “this man is not one of you—one of the gang taken that night?”
“No, master; he’s a gentleman, and took by mistake.”
Humpy Dee’s eyes flashed, and he burst into a coarse laugh.
