"Have I the honour of addressing Captain Henry?" asked the little man pompously.
"Cap'n 'Enery, if it please you," replied that worthy. "And you, sir?"
"I am Captain Edmund Craddock, commanding His Majesty's ship Antelope. I am beholden to your men for their co-operation in assisting to exterminate this nest of rascally pirates; but, in the execution of my duty, I must demand to see your warrant for your presence on this island with an armed force."
"That can be shown you on board the Golden Hope, your honour," replied Captain 'Enery.
"I trust so, for your own sakes," the other said; "therefore let us proceed on board her."
"He's a cool game-cock," remarked Clemens in an undertone to the master gunner, as we followed Captain 'Enery and the naval officer to the boats. "Why, for all he knows he may be running into a den of pirates!"
"I'll tell you more of him anon," replied Touchstone; "but take it from me, he knows his business."
On boarding the Golden Hope, Captain Craddock, accompanied by Captain 'Enery, retired to the cabin where Captain Jeremy was lying. Here they remained talking for more than an hour; but the interview must have been satisfactory all round, for on returning to the quarter-deck I saw the naval captain produce his snuff-box and offer it with a grave flourish to Captain 'Enery.
"Well, I wish you joy on it," I heard him remark. "If you find the treasure, for I've no doubt that it is on the island, you'll be far luckier than a good many. With your permission, I'll remain your guest till my vessel arrives."
"Does she know the channel?"