What do you say? Are you game,
or shall I have to go back to Skipper Simms and Ward and
tell them that I caught you eavesdropping?"
"Oh, I'm game," said Billy Byrne, "if you'll promise me a
square deal on the divvy."
The Frenchman extended his hand.
"Let's shake on it," he said.
Billy took the proffered palm in his.
"That's a go," he said; "but hadn't you better wise me to
wot's doin'?"
"Not now," said Theriere, "someone might overhear just as
you did. Wait a bit until I have a better opportunity, and I'll
tell you all there is to know. In the meantime think over
who'd be the best men to let into this with us--we'll need
three or four more besides ourselves. Now go on deck about
your duties as though nothing had happened, and if I'm a bit
rougher than usual with you you'll understand that it's to
avert any possible suspicion later."
"I'm next," said Billy Byrne.
CHAPTER IV
PIRACY
BY DUSK the trim little brigantine was scudding away toward
the west before a wind that could not have suited her better
had it been made to order at the special behest of the devil
himself to speed his minions upon their devil's work.
All hands were in the best of humor. The crew had
forgotten their recent rancor at not having been permitted
shore leave at Honolulu in the expectancy of adventure in the
near future, for there was that in the atmosphere of the
Halfmoon which proclaimed louder than words the proximity
of excitement, and the goal toward which they had been
sailing since they left San Francisco.
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