I hoped that he really thought so, and that he had no idea of the thoughts within me. I was ready enough to talk when Pharaoh Nanjulian gave the signal.
It came at last as he stood at the wheel one night, and I stood near, apparently idling away my time.
“Now, master,” said he, “continue looking over the side and I will talk. I have found out where we are going.”
“Well?” I said, eager enough for his news.
“We are bound for Vera Cruz, master.”
“Where is that? In the West Indies?”
“It is a port of Mexico, master, and in the possession of the Spaniards, who are devils in human shape.”
“And what will they do with us there?”
“That I have also found out. It seems that your good cousin, Master Stapleton, did make a bargain with this noble Spanish gentleman, Captain Nunez, for getting you out of the way. The bo’s’n, Pedro, says that your cousin suggested that Nunez should sail you out to sea, and then knock you on the head and heave you overboard. But Nunez would have none of that, and decided that he would carry you with him to Vera Cruz.”