“That for ye, and the pox to boot!” he roared. “Ye’ll never have my head! It’s no hand of man can bring me to death, but only the gift of a woman——” Deakin swallowed hard, then suddenly recollected everything. “Hark, cap’n! We be from the south, wi’ great news. Iberville ha’ whipped the company’s fleet, and by now is master of Nelson——”
“What else, liar?” exclaimed Moon, laughing.
“Nay, ’tis truth! Ask Crawford, here. And what hope have ye, with your ship gone? There is one man can guide ye out, can bring ye safe south again to Albany or New Severn—and that’s Moses Deakin. Come, I’ll bargain with ye——”
Captain Moon roared with laughter, whereat Deakin lost temper and caused Moon to roar anew.
“Iberville indeed! There are no French on the bay, ye rascal pirate! If there were, they’d be soon enough swept away——”
This disbelief maddened Deakin, who cursed and raved like a maniac, until presently the officer quieted him with a word.
“These redskins have a message for ye from one called the Star Woman. Do ye want it or not, afore we hang ye?”
Deakin stared, sobered suddenly, swallowed his wrath. “Be that truth?”
“Ay.” Moon surveyed him curiously. “Who’s this Star Woman?”
“Sink me if I know,” growled Deakin, with a sidelong glance at Crawford. Moon shrugged, and ordered his men to loose both prisoners from the trees. This was done. Their arms were tied, and they were led to the circled ranks of red warriors, who met Deakin’s glare with impassive countenances. Deakin and Crawford sat down, with Moon standing beside them. Behind clustered the company men, but at a little distance.