Yet the remark was scarcely uttered, when up from the 'Speedwell' rose all her birds, led by the visitors, and having enjoyed a glorious flight through the sun-filled atmosphere, quietly alighted on board the 'Alert.'
Captain Thorne made no sign. Indeed, throughout the incident he had been 'luffing up' all he could to exchange compliments, but on suddenly discovering how the birds had themselves declined to become 'pie,' and that they had no intention of returning, he eased his helm, and with respectful dip of ensign left his dismayed brother mariner far astern.
'He's signalling, sir,' Mr. Statten exclaimed.
'Not another invitation?' the old man inquired.
The second mate hastily turned over the leaves of the signal-book, and, reading the numbers of the fluttering flags, explained their meaning.
'I shall have the law of you at Hong Kong.'
Captain Thorne laughed merrily. 'Invite him to dinner, Statten,' he said; 'turn about's fair play anyhow.'
And thus for the time the incident ended. When the 'Speedwell' arrived at her destination, and anchored near her late consort, the irate skipper immediately ran alongside, only, however, to be met by such a formidable array of long spears, old cutlasses, and worn-out brass signal guns, that he determined to defer the visit to a more opportune occasion, and proceeding ashore took out a summons against the delinquent captain for the return of his property.
Meanwhile Jack Clewlin had secured all the new birds, which were speedily returned to their ship, the result being that when called on for his defence Captain Thorne could truthfully affirm that he did not possess a single pigeon other than that purchased in open market.
'Not got them, sir!' the angry skipper shouted; 'I wonder how you can say such words. What has become of them?'