"Gaspar!" he shouted, addressing the man who had superseded the English renegade as bo'sun. "Send up signals of distress!"
CHAPTER XIX
CERVILLO DESERTS HIS CREW
Midshipman Cardyke was restless under restraint, and during the long periods of inaction was fond of looking out of the port and listening to the swish of the waves against the ship's side. The noise soothed him. To a youngster descended from a long line of naval men the sting of the salt-laden breeze was an alluring quality that would attract him throughout the whole of his career.
While at the open port he happened to look as far astern as the frame of the port permitted. To his surprise he saw a column of smoke just above the horizon.
It was a ship. He instantly awoke Fielding, who was having his "watch below," and informed him of the momentous news. The sub. was out of his bunk in a trice.
"You're right, Cardyke," he said, after a hasty glance in the direction of the vessel. "It's a ship. But what is she—a cruiser?"
"She's heading this way, I think," observed the mid. "And what is more, we are altering our course. See, the relative position of the ship is more on the beam."
"Then it's not a cruiser, worse luck," muttered Fielding, "or the pirate would attempt to sheer off. They're up to some fiendish business, I'll wager. Don't say a word to any of the others just yet. We'll keep on the look-out a little while longer."