“No-o! What should she want to watch us for?”
“Why, to take us as a prize, seeing what a beautiful little schooner it is.”
“Bah! She’d better not try,” said the skipper grimly. “Why, what stuff have you got in your head, boy? We are not at war with France.”
“No-o,” said Rodd thoughtfully; “but her captain might have taken a fancy to the Maid of Salcombe, and I’ve read that privateers are not very particular when they get a chance. And the war’s only just over.”
“No. But then, you see, my lad, even if you were right, that brig wouldn’t have a chance.”
“Why, suppose she waited till we had sailed, and followed till she thought it was a good opportunity, and then her captain led his men aboard and took her?”
“Oh, I see,” said the skipper dryly. “Well, my lad, as I say, she wouldn’t have a chance. First, because she couldn’t catch us, for give me sea room I could sail right round her.”
“Ah, but suppose it was a calm, and she sent her boats full of men on board to take us?”
“Well, what then?”
“What then? Why, wouldn’t that be very awkward?” asked Rodd.