“Now, then, quick march,� said Jack, getting behind him.
“Where you teek me?� sputtered the Spaniard.
“To the ship. In the morning you will be lodged in jail, I hope.�
As they advanced to the ship, which lay two piers away, Jack explained to the captain the narrow escape he had had. The captain thanked him with maudlin tears, which rather disgusted Jack. When the ship was reached the captain reeled off to bed while Jack placed Alvarez forward under the guard of two men.
“He’ll be all right till morning,� he said to himself, but when morning came, Alvarez was gone.
The ropes that had bound him had been cut. They lay on the deck with cleanly severed ends.
Jack cross-examined the two sailors, set to guard him, severely. Both protested vigorously they had not taken their eyes off him all night. But Jack, of course, knew better. He knew, too, that among the superstitious sailors Alvarez, on account of certain claims he made to being a wizard, had much influence. It was certain he had escaped with the connivance of the crew.
“Well, good riddance of bad rubbish,� commented Jack to himself, little dreaming that he was destined to encounter Alvarez again.
CHAPTER VIII: ON BOARD THE “POLLY ANN�
When Raynor opened his eyes again he found himself lying on a bunk in a small cabin. Across the single port-hole which lighted it was a red calico curtain. Rough beams crossed the ceiling, from which swung a ship’s lantern, unlighted, of course, at that time of day.