“Ay,” said Hal, “I reckon so.”
“Ah,” said Joe again, “I’ll be going back to home,” he announced suddenly.
Then, as some knowing smiles appeared on the faces in the firelight, he added, “Ah, you can laugh, but take my word for it, you keep your wenches clear of Spaniards. They have wonderful ways with women.” He walked to the door. “See you afore the night’s over, Hal,” he called cheerily as he went out.
Under cover of the laughter which burst out as he shut the door behind him, Anny whispered to Hal, who was making up the fire, “I would not change thee for the King o’ the Spaniards, lad,” and he, turning suddenly to look at her, knew that she spoke truth.
CHAPTER IV
“MARRY! Fortune favours her lovers! Greetings, Master French. Damn my knife! there is not another on the Island I would rather see than thee at this moment.”
Black’erchief Dick stepped out of the open rowboat which had conveyed him from the Coldlight and gave a small white hand to Big French, who assisted him on to the board pathway which was laid over the soft mud.
“Greetings to you, Captain,” said the young man, and then added slowly, “you’re somewhat before your time, ain’t you?”
Black’erchief Dick broke into a storm of curses.
“Ay,” he said at last, “ay, too early for the tide and so forsooth compelled—I, Dick Delfazio, compelled, mark you—to put in at this God-forsaken corner”—he took in the marshland with a comprehensive wave of a graceful arm, and continued sneering—“which is as flat and empty as a new-washed platter.”