'The captain,' said the pirates, staring at each other in surprise.
'He must be swimming out to us,' Starkey said, when they had looked for him in vain.
'We are putting the redskin on the rock,' Smee called out.
'Set her free,' came the astonishing answer.
'Free!'
'Yes, cut her bonds and let her go.'
'But, captain——'
'At once, d'ye hear,' cried Peter, 'or I'll plunge my hook in you.'
'This is queer,' Smee gasped.
'Better do what the captain orders,' said Starkey nervously.