“Much obliged ter meet cher,� said Noddy, adding in an aside to Raynor. “He looks like one of dem wharf rats I used ter see aroun’ de sugar docks on de East River.�
With everybody talking at once, except Mr. Terrill, who lagged behind, seemingly busy with his thoughts, the group made for the hut. Mr. Terrill, with his eyes on the ground, was muttering to himself as he slowly paced after them.
“That makes three more added to the forces of Captain Ready when the time comes,â€� he breathed. “Three last night and three this morning—six. It makes the situation more difficult when the hour comes to strike. I don’t like that youngster Jack Ready. He’s too smart by half. I believe I’ll have trouble with him before this thing is over.â€�
“Well, where’s your cook?� inquired Uncle Toby, when they reached the hut, for no Pompey was visible.
“I can’t think, unless he has gone to the spring,�
“Avast, thar,� cried Uncle Toby suddenly, “thar’s something moving under that blanket. Look out, boys, it may be a snake.�
He picked up a big stick of wood and smote the blankets lustily with it. The result was startling. An appalling yell came from the bedding.
“Ow-ouch, Misto Pirate, don’ done hit me. Ah come out. Oh, Lawsy, mah bones am broken——â€�
“Come out of that, Pompey,� exclaimed Raynor angrily. “What are you hiding for? What’s all that gibberish about pirates?�
“Dey done fire guns. Ah think dey come to comblisterate de island,� moaned Pompey, getting out of his hiding place and rubbing himself where the stick had hit him, with a doleful expression, “mah goodness, ah think dat stick mustah bruk some ob mah bones.�