"Why?" asked Charlie, in great surprise.
"Because, my lad, I recognized in her the Red Rover, one of the most noted pirates that cruised in those seas."
XXI.
THE PIRATE SHIP.
"How did you know she was a pirate?" inquired Charlie.
"I suspected her in the first place, from her rakish look. All pirate ships, you know, are made for speed. Besides, this particular ship had been described to me by a messmate who had once been on board a ship that was chased by her, though, luckily, before the pirate had a chance to overhaul her, two other vessels came in sight, and frightened her away.
"As soon as I made out the approaching vessel to be the Red Rover, I repented bitterly the signs by which I had drawn her attention. I ceased making signals, but it was too late. She had already seen me, and a boat was filling with men to take me on board. Finding I could not well help myself, I concluded to make the best of it, and not show any objection to going with the boat's crew. So when they came near, and hailed me, asking me who I was, I answered as heartily as I could, 'Bill Sturdy, of the good ship Peregrine, bound for Havana.'
"'And what's become of your ship?'
"'Gone to the bottom,' I answered.