But he spoke in a low tone, for he was not disposed to summon Mr. Salter to the hold, though he had felt that he sacrificed himself and his plan when he showed himself to the incendiary.
“That’s my name,” replied the young villain.
“I understand what you were scheming at in your watch on deck. Lingall, Pardee, and Gibbs are your associates in this rascality,” added Raimundo.
Stout, who was not before aware that he had been watched by the second master or by any other officer, was rather taken aback by this announcement; but he promptly denied that the students named were concerned in the affair.
“Lingall is with you, I know. I see how you have managed the affair. He is your companion in the brig, which was built over the midship scuttle,” continued Raimundo. “But why do you desire to burn the vessel?”
“Because I want to get out of her,” replied Bill sullenly. “But I can’t stop here to talk.”
“Do you really mean to burn the Tritonia?”
“That’s what I did mean; but, since you have found me out, I shall not be likely to do it now.”
“Whatever you do, don’t do that. You are in the waters of Spain now, and I don’t know but you would have to be tried and punished for it in this country.”
Bill Stout had no idea of being tried and punished for the crime in any country; and he had not even considered it a crime when he thought of the matter. He did not expect to be found out when he planned the job: villains never expect to be. But he was alarmed now; and the deed he had attempted seemed to be a hundred times more wicked and dangerous than at any time before.