"Exactly, under command of a half-breed named Henley. By Gad, Smith, this sounds too good to be true."
He walked across the cabin twice, thinking, not even glancing up as he passed us. Suddenly he stopped, facing me.
"Where did he get you two?"
"In a bayou off the Alabama coast."
"And you got away last evening—how?"
"By imprisoning the Captain and steward below; I was obliged to knock the first mate overboard, but we were unseen by any others. Let me tell you the whole story; it will scarcely require five minutes."
He nodded his head, walking back and forth as I reviewed the events swiftly. I hardly think he asked so much as a single question, his eyes upon my face and then upon the face of the girl.
"A rather strange tale," he commented when I had concluded, "and, perhaps, the whole is not told. However that is none of my affair. Now listen; this is a revenue cutter. We were ordered out of Pensacola four days ago to intercept this boat on which you two were prisoners. We have n't even sighted the vessel, and if we did would be perfectly helpless; as she can steam three knots to our one. Only some streak of wonderful good luck would ever enable us to capture her. I half believe you are the good luck, if you do what I suggest."
"What?" I asked. "I will be willing. Would you need Mrs. Henley also?"
"Yes," he turned to the officer who was still standing.