"Hello in the house! Are you safe? What is the meaning of this?" cried Phil, in front of the closed door.
"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Jalap Coombs, joyfully, flinging it open. "We're safe enough so far; but them black swabs overhauled us awhile ago, and gave out as how they'd got to have Cap'n Kid. I double-shotted the guns, stationed the crew at quarters, and returned reply that they couldn't have him; then they run up the black-flag and allowed they'd blow the ship out of water. With that I declined to hold further communication, cleared for action, and prepared to repel boarders."
In the mean time Serge was talking to the natives in Chinook jargon. Suddenly he exclaimed:
"They are Chilkats, Phil, and they want something that they seem to think is in Nel-te's possession."
"In Nel-te's possession?" repeated Phil, in a puzzled tone. "What can they mean? I don't see how they can know anything about Nel-te, anyway. They can't mean the fur-seal's tooth, can they?"
"That is exactly what they do mean!" replied Serge, after asking the natives a few more questions. "They say it is hanging about his neck, inside of his parka."
"How long have these people been here, Mr. Coombs?" queried Phil.
"Not more 'n ten minutes."
"Have they seen Nel-te?"
"No, for he hain't been outside the door."