All night
long the firemen were kept hard at it, and before morning the Rock
was far astern of the driving steamboat.
Three of the Scorpions had stayed aboard, and Captain Hindhaugh
noticed that they earned their knives. He noticed, too, that the
cringing manner which the fellows had shown before the Rock was
cleared had given place to a sort of subdued swagger.
About noon the engines were slowed down almost to nothing, and
the Jenny Jones crept gently on toward the shore. By four o'clock
the vessel was well into Portuguese waters, and Hindhaugh was
prepared to defy any quantity of Spanish coast-guards. When the
sun had dipped low the Scorpion-in-chief came aft, and pointed
mysteriously to the northeast.
"You'se been look where I point myself. Feluccas! You'se follow
them in and drop anchor."
Hindhaugh smiled. "Do you think you're talking to a fool? Come you
below there, and let me have that other money sharp."
"Ah, Capeetan, wait till agent's man come with felucca. I'se been
have no money myself."
Hindhaugh was not a person to be trifled with. He quietly took
out his revolver. "Now, do you see that pretty thing? First shot
for you.
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