“I was trapped on board,” I said.
“I thought so,” he responded. “But speak low, master, and take no heed of me. We can converse while I work, but it will not do for us to be seen talking too much. The less we are noticed together the better for our necks. How came you here, master? I had no thought of seeing you in such company.”
I told him as briefly as possible while he continued to coil the rope.
“Aye,” said he, when I had finished my story, “I expected something of that sort. Well, I am glad that the old Hawthorn left me swimming, though sorry enough that all her merry men are gone down below. But what! death must come. Now, young master, what can we do? I swore a solemn oath when your good uncle befriended me that I would serve you. This is the time. What can I do?”
“Alas,” said I, “I know not.”
“Do you know whither we are bound?” he asked.
“The Captain says to the West Indies. But I do not know if that be true or false.”
“More likely to be false than true, master. Now, then, hearken to me, young sir. I have seen a deal of life, and have been a mariner this thirty year or more. We must use our wits. Can you, do you think, find out what our destination really is?”
“I am afraid not,” I replied. “Nunez will not tell me more than he has already told me.”