“I care not who knows it,” he said, “for, done by honest men or done by knaves, I told the people on the forecastle of the; ‘Dart,’ in the first five minutes after I got among them again, that they might be at Spithead a month, and not see hamper so light, and yet so handy, as is seen aboard that flyer. Her lower rigging is harpened-in, like the waist of Nell Dale after she has had a fresh pull upon her stay-lanyards, and there isn’t a block, among them all, that seems bigger in its place than do the eyes of the girl in her own good-looking countenance. That bit of a set that you see to her fore-brace-block, was given by the hand of one Richard Fid; and the heart on her main-stay was turned-in by Guinea, here; and, considering he is a nigger, I call it ship-shape.”
“She is beautiful in every part!” said Wilder, drawing a long breath. “Give way, my men, give way! Do you think I have come here to take the soundings of the ocean?”
The crew started at the hurried tones of their lieutenant and in another minute the boat was at the side of the vessel. The stern and threatening glances that Wilder encountered, as his foot touched the planks, caused him to pause an instant, ere he advanced further amid the crew. But the presence of the Rover himself, who stood, with his peculiar air of high and imposing authority, on the quarter-deck, encouraged him to proceed, after permitting a delay that was too slight to attract attention. His lips were in the act of parting, when a sign from the other induced him to remain silent, until they were both in the privacy of the cabin.
“Suspicion is awake among my people, Mr Ark,” commenced the Rover, when they were thus retired, laying a marked and significant emphasis on the name he used. “Suspicion is stirring, though, as yet, they hardly know what to credit. The manoeuvres of the two ships have not been such as they are wont to see, and voices are not wanting to whisper in their ears matter that is somewhat injurious to your interests. You have not done well, sir, in returning among us.”
“I came by the order of my superior, and under the sanction of a flag.”
“We are small reasoners in the legal distinction of the world, and may mistake your rights in so novel a character. But,” he immediately added, with dignity, “if you bear a message, I may presume it is intended for my ears.”
“And for no other. We are not alone, Captain Heidegger.”
“Heed not the boy; he is deaf at my will.”
“I could wish to communicate to you only the offers that I bear.”
“That mast is not more senseless than Roderick,” said the other calmly, but with decision.