When we had thus been served, he said in the tone of one who imparts pleasing information:—
"You'll have to get along without me to-day, for I'm counting on catching two or three more Yankees before sunset."
Phil shook his fist at the scoundrel; but I, without knowing exactly why, felt a certain amount of satisfaction because he reckoned on making more prisoners.
Then the fellow disappeared from view, and Phil said angrily:—
"I hope our messmates will have more sense than we displayed when we agreed to let him show us the town."
"And I'm hoping he'll make a big haul."
Phil gazed at me in anger and astonishment, whereupon I hastened to explain myself.
"There is no doubt but that he can easily do with us as he has proposed, and our officers will make no great effort to find two boys who are believed to have deserted. If that scoundrelly Britisher can capture half a dozen of our crew there'll be a big stir aboard ship, and, in addition, he won't be able to work his will with so many. One or more may succeed in escaping, and then the truth will be known."
Phil's face brightened wonderfully, for he had not looked at the matter in that light before, and without further conversation we set about making a hearty breakfast.
Once our stomachs were filled, hope revived. We were eager that a large number of our men might be entrapped by Benson, and discussed the possibility of his success with as much zest as he might have done.