Wolves of the Sea - Being a Tale of the Colonies from the Manuscript of One Geoffry - Carlyle, Seaman, Narrating Certain Strange Adventures Which Befell - Him Aboard the Pirate Craft "Namur" by Randall Parrish
page 60 of 356 (16%)
page 60 of 356 (16%)
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and this last explanation came to us over the water in a faint thread
of sound barely discernible. I asked if I should tack back, but Fairfax shook his head, and in a moment more we were beyond reach of the voice. Dorothy appeared at the door of the cabin and stood there, gazing in surprise at the bark, while the moment he caught sight of her Sanchez went hastily forward, removing his hat with so peculiar a flourish as he approached as to cause me to notice the gesture. Fairfax remained beside the rail, staring out across the widening water, clearly dissatisfied, but finally waved his hand in a command to me to resume our course. Shortly after he crossed the deck to the wheel, and stood there beside me, still watchful of the dwindling vessel already far astern. "What do you make of her, Carlyle?" he asked finally, turning slightly to glance at my face. "I believe that fellow lied." "So do I, sir," I answered promptly. "Whatever else he may be, he's no peaceful Dutch trader. The bark is Dutch built all right, and no doubt once sailed out of Rotterdam; but that fellow got his accent from South Europe." "Damn me, that's just what I thought." "Nor is that all, sir. If he was loaded with cane-sugar and hides for market, he wouldn't be nearly so high out of water. That bark was in ballast, or I miss my guess. Besides, if he was a trader, where was his crew? There wasn't a single head popped over the rail while we were alongside; and that isn't natural. Even a West India nigger has curiosity. I tell you the men on board that hooker had orders to keep down." |
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