In the course of his duty, Morton was going the round of the decks, when he heard a voice from among the prisoners calling to him in French: “A poor dying wretch would speak to you. Have pity, brave Englishman, and hear what he has to say!”
“Who are you?” asked Morton.
“I was captain of the felucca. I am now a criminal, expecting speedy death,” returned the speaker.
The master at arms held up the lantern he carried, and as its light fell on the countenance of the person who had addressed him, Morton recognised the old white-bearded captain who had made so desperate a resistance when his vessel was attacked. He had been lying at his length on some straw on the deck. He was now supporting himself on one arm that he might have a better look at the lieutenant as he passed.
“What would you say to me?” asked Morton.
“Many things, if you will listen to me,” answered the old pirate. “I overheard part of your conversation with the priest. I know more about you than you suppose.”
“What can you know about me?” asked Morton, very much surprised. “Here are two persons I fall in with unexpectedly and both assert they know more about me than I do myself,” he thought.
“If you will have me removed out of earshot of my comrades, I will tell you,” replied the old pirate. “We cannot speak in a language which some of them do not understand.”
Morton ordered the old man to be unshackled, and to be conducted to another part of the deck. After he had gone his rounds, he returned and took a seat on a bucket by his side.
“Thanks, sir, for this kindness,” said the old pirate; though as he spoke Ronald rather doubted his sincerity. “It is not thrown away. You see before you a victim to circumstances. I have done many evil deeds—many things of which I repent—but necessity drove me to commit them; poverty, that stern task-master, urged me on—not inclination, believe me. I say this that you may not look at me with the disgust that you might otherwise do. However, I am not now going to give an account of my life—I may some day, if you desire it; simply I will tell you who I am. You know already who the old man is whom I took prisoner.”