"You have had some sharp work here, I think," said he; "we heard the sound of the firing as we stood round the island. Glad we have been in time to save you."
"Thanks be to Heaven, you have—and many heartfelt thanks to you, for you have indeed saved all our lives, and my ship, also!" exclaimed Captain Phillips.
"All? There don't seem to be very many of you," replied the stranger, as his boat came sheering alongside, and the oars were all uplifted and laid in together, while he swung himself up with great agility, and jumped over the bulwarks on deck, when the eight of the Hermione gathered round him. "Creeping along the shore in search of fresh water," he resumed, "we were told by an old Malay boatman——"
"Puffadder?" said Bartelot.
"Yes; you know him then—that we should find it here."
"The old scoundrel!" exclaimed Heriot.
"With the same story he snared us into the creek," added Phillips.
"Old Puffadder wasn't to blame, for he begged me to make haste and assist a British ship that some island pirates were attacking, so we clapped on royals, skysails, gaff-topsail, and everything that would draw, got our small arms up, our guns cast loose and all ready to help you, and we seem just to have been in time."
"You have done well and bravely, sir," said Mr. Basset, with gratitude and enthusiasm.
"And what ship is yours?" asked Phillips.