current."

Oliver Pollock was watching them as they talked and his eyes gleamed, but
he said nothing until they were within his house, where he took them and
gave them refreshments. There he had a proposition to make.

"The boat, of course, you have lost," he said, "as it belongs to Spain,
but your arms and other equipment are all in my possession--they were
given to me to keep for you. But our fleet of canoes loaded with arms and
supplies will start north in three days. Will you go on it? Not to work,
not to paddle, unless you wish, but to guide and to fight. It is no favor
that I am conferring upon you, but one that you can confer upon me if you
will. We need such as you and with you I shall feel that the fleet is
safer."

It was a most welcome offer. They could serve the cause and themselves at
the same time. All things seemed to fall out as they wished.

"Sir, we thank you," said Henry speaking for them all. "You do not have to
make such an offer twice."

"Good! Good!" said Oliver Pollock. "Then the main feature of the bargain
is closed and now I must have you to know the captain of the fleet. Oh, I
think that you will agree with him famously. He will be in charge of the
navigation and the fleet, though not of you. You are to remain in your
rôle of free rangers."

He clapped his hand upon a little bell on the table and one of the
stalwart, sunbrowned clerks entered.