At this juncture Captain Gary reappeared, followed by Rucker. Long Tom
had already gone forward.

"What schooner is this?" demanded the officer, after the first
salutations had passed.

"I should like to know first what right you have to ask that question,"
replied Gary in his most suave manner. "These are times of peace, when
every one is privileged to attend to his own affairs, I believe."

"Yes, when his affairs are not injurious to others. There is surely no
harm in asking a vessel's name."

"Is it customary to stop them on the high seas, and send a boat aboard
to find out?"

"Well, yes--under certain circumstances." The lieutenant smiled.
"Especially so when we are under orders to that effect. To be plain,
sir, we suspect you of being engaged in an unlawful enterprise."

As may be supposed, Duff was paying the closest attention, for he and
most others on board had shipped, not knowing the object of the voyage,
but tempted by the high wages.

"You do, eh." It was Gary's turn to smile now. "You men o' war's men
often make mistakes as well as other people. This is the Curlew, four
days out of Savannah, in ballast, and bound for Bermuda."

"You are clear out of your course, if that is the case."