Joyfully the true-hearted sailors, eager to succour their suffering brothers, lowered a boat, which a moment afterwards was bounding away in the direction of the distressed vessel.
They soon approached near enough to admit of speaking, and at his order, the men rested on their oars to allow the midshipman in command to hail the barque.
“What ship is that?” asked the midshipman.
“The Sting,” answered the solitary individual, who was standing at the gangway.
“Where from, and whither bound?”
“From Pernambuco to Liverpool,” answered the individual.
“What cargo?” demanded the midshipman.
“Cayenne pepper,” answered the individual.
“What is the matter with you?” asked the midshipman.