Having given the quartermaster the course, Cain selected a couple of newspapers and told the bo's'un to pass a number of them for'ard for the hands not on duty.
One of the newspapers was the Western Gazette. This the captain handed to Pengelly, knowing that the latter would derive interesting local information from it. The Times Cain retained and figuratively proceeded to devour with the avidity of a man who has for days been cut off from all accounts of the world's doings.
"Hello, Pengelly!" he exclaimed, "we're fugitives from justice."
"I know that," rejoined Pengelly, with a show of asperity.
"'Tany rate," resumed Cain, "there's a warrant out for the arrest of Thomas Trevorrick and Paul Pengelly for fraud in connection with the Polkyll Shipbreaking Company. We're assumed to have absconded and to be hiding on the Continent. There's two hundred pounds reward."
Both men smiled grimly at each other. Evidently there was no connection in the minds of the authorities between Trevorrick and the pirate Captain Cain.
"And the Memnon is officially reported as being destroyed," continued Captain Cain. "The Admiralty state emphatically that she is the vessel that attacked the Cap Hoorn. They weren't far out there, Pengelly, but listen! This is a gem! 'In consequence of the destruction of the Memnon, all danger to shipping through piratical action is now considered at an end. Accordingly orders have been issued to the naval patrols engaged in hunting down the pirate to return to their respective bases.' Well, that's given us a new lease of life. Wait till we replenish our fuel tanks and we'll give My Lords a nasty eye-opener." This time both men laughed boisterously. Fickle Fortune was treating them with lavish favour.
For some minutes there was silence, each reader deep in his paper.
"By Jove!" suddenly ejaculated Pengelly. "Listen to this, sir: 'An inquest was held——'"
"Don't want to hear about inquests," interrupted Captain Cain. "Don't suppose mine will worry me. Why should I trouble about other people's?"