"Ah, are you there?" he said. "If I had thought of it I should have
sent you into Best in the bark."
Ralph did not understand the words but he guessed at the meaning, and
said, smiling, "I am quite content to remain where I am."
"Tell him, Jacques Clery, that I have noticed that he works willingly,
and as long as he behaves well he shall have the same treatment as if
he belonged really to the crew; but warn him that if he is caught at
any time making a signal, or doing anything to warn a vessel we may be
approaching, his brains will be blown out at once."
Jacques translated the warning.
"That's all right," Ralph said. "Of course I should expect nothing
else."
As soon as the repairs were completed the sails were hoisted and the
brig proceeded on her way. In the days that followed it seemed to
Ralph that the tactics of the privateer had changed, and that there
was no longer any idea of making prizes. A sharp lookout was indeed
kept for any English cruisers, but no attention was paid to any sail
in the distance as soon as it was determined that these were not ships
of war. Four days later, instead of there being as before five or six
sail in sight at one point or other of the horizon, the sea was
absolutely deserted. He remarked upon this to his friend Jacques. The
latter laughed.
"We are out of their course now, my lad.
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