“Then let me tell you, I do,” ejaculated Wyzinski. “The same circumstance which brought this bay to my knowledge, taught me that the natives here are treacherous and wily. You will have them round you before sunset.”
“Let them come,” replied the sailor; “we have small arms, besides two guns.”
“Do you think we can land with prudence, Wyzinski?”
“I should strongly advise putting the brig in a state to resist if attacked, and the arms handy if wanted. As for landing, we might pitch our tent under the trees yonder; but I should deprecate any straggling away.”
“Very well, gentlemen. I hear the boats being lowered; I am going to carry out an anchor astern, so as to moor the ship safely. The arm-chest shall be hoisted out, and placed at the foot of the mainmast. The two guns, and the small arms I will place in your charge, if you will honour me by serving as a marine, Captain Hughes.”
“In which capacity the Light Infantry drill will be useless,” remarked Wyzinski, laughing.
“The boats are alongside, and the men on deck, Captain Weber,” said Mr Lowe, who at that moment appeared at the cabin-door.
“Very well. Get the stream-anchor into the pinnace, and rouse out a few fathoms of cable,” replied the captain.
“Ay, ay, sir,” was the mate’s reply.
“And, Mr Lowe,” called out the captain, “send the arm-chest on deck. Is there any one who understands an armourer’s business?”