The Madman and the Pirate, page 29 by Robert Michael Ballantyne
<< Return to Title Details & Download30
f, paying no regard to the last observation; "I wish that I or Mr. Redford had gone with you, or some one who had seen him the last time we were here; but I didn't want to be recognised;" then checking himself--"Well, you may go, and send Mr. Redford to me."
"I cannot account for Zeppa turning up in this way," he said, when the mate entered.
"No more can I, sir."
"Do all the men agree in saying that he seems to be quite sane."
"All. Indeed most of them seemed surprised when I asked the question. You see, what with death by sword, shot, and sickness, there's not a man in the ship who ever saw him, except yourself and me. The last of the old hands, you know, went with Captain Daniel when you sent him and the unwilling men away in the old schooner. I have no doubt, myself, from what they say, that Zeppa has got well again, and managed to return home as sound and sane as you or I."
"If you and I were sane, we should not be here," thought the pirate captain; but he did not give expression to the thought, save by a contemptuous curl of his lip.
"Well, Redford," he said, after a few seconds' pause, "my chief reason for going to Sugar-loaf Island is removed, nevertheless we shall still go there for a fresh load of sandal-wood and other things that will fetch a good price."
"I fear, sir," returned the mate after some hesitation, "that the crew will be apt to mutiny, if you insist on going there. They are tired of this mixture of trade with free-roving, and are anxious to sail in seas where we shall be more likely to fall in with something worth picking up."
"Stop, Redford, I want to hear no more. The crew shall go where I please as long as I command them; and you may add that I will guarantee their being pleased with my present plan. There, don't refer to this subject again. Where did you say the British cruiser was last seen?"
"Bearing nor'-east, sir, hull down--on our starboard quarter. I called you at once, but she had changed her course to nor'-west and we