"Sink me, if I like this business," replied Captain 'Enery. "No news for three days, and then the sound of cannonade at sea. I'll send a man away to-night, and let him gather news of Touchstone."
Accordingly Clemens, the Cornishman, was selected to make his way in the darkness in the direction of the buccaneers' line of retreat. The man could be thoroughly trusted to look after himself, for he was as crafty as a fox, while he possessed such a turn of speed that few could hope to overtake him in flight.
By daybreak, according to his instructions, he returned, without encountering a single living being; yet he reported that there had been an engagement, for the ground bore traces of a conflict, broken weapons lying about everywhere. Who were the victors he was unable to state, though he followed the marks left by a number of men till the approach of daybreak made it necessary to retrace his steps. The mystery seemed to deepen.
About noon on the same day our look-outs reported the appearance of a body of armed men over the brow of the distant hill. Immediately there was a rush on deck, and glasses were brought to bear on the arrivals.
"Hurrah!" shouted one of the crew. "'Tis Master Touchstone and his party."
"You're right," said Captain 'Enery. "But what doth it mean? There are at least a score of armed men more than he took with him."
CHAPTER XXI
Captain Craddock
Fired with impatience to solve the mystery, Captain 'Enery rowed ashore and proceeded to the stockade, there to await Touchstone's return; and in half an hour the expedition rejoined us. There were, as Captain 'Enery had said, at least a score of strangers, all well armed and mingling freely with our people in a friendly manner; while at Touchstone's side walked a man who was evidently someone in authority.
He was little in stature, yet of great breadth across the shoulders, and long in body. His legs seemed disproportionately short, so that he strutted like a young bantam. He was clean shaven, his sunburnt features being hard in expression, while the stern glint in his eyes betokened a commanding nature.