"Sure, an' we will, sor. I'll have a boat wid plenty of wather and sun-dhried mate in her, and some fruit and fishing-lines. We shall do; but the plan isn't perfect yet." "Why?" "Sure, an' there's no arrangement for getting Black Mazzard to come that time to count over the powdher-barrels." "What! and blow the scoundrel up!" "Sure, sor, and it would be a kindness to him. He's the wickedest divil that ever breathed, and he gets worse ivery day, so wouldn't it be a kindness to try and send him to heaven before he gets too bad to go! But whist! I've stopped too long, sor. Ye understand?" "Dinny, get me away from here, and you're a made man!" "Faix, I dunno, sor. Mebbe there'll be one lot'll want to shoot me for a desarter--though I desarted by force--and another lot'll want to hang me for a pirate. I don't fale at all safe; but I know I shall be tuk and done for some day if I shtop, and as the darlin' says she'll niver make a mistake the right way wid her lips till I've taken her from Black Mazzard, why, I'll do the thrick." More days passed, and every stroll outside his prison had to be taken by Humphrey with Bart as close to him as his shadow. Dinny kept away again, and the plan to escape might as well have never been uttered. Bart always went well-armed with his prisoner, and seemed unusually suspicious, as if fearing an attempt at escape. Dinny's little widow came no more, and the hours grew so irksome with the confinement consequent upon the captains absence that Humphrey longed for his return. He debated again and again all he had heard, and came to the conclusion that if he said anything it must be to the captain himself. One morning Bart's manner showed that something had occurred. His sour face wore a smile, and he was evidently greatly relieved of his responsibility as he said to the prisoner: "There, you can go out." "Has the captain returned?" Bart delivered himself of a short nod. "Tell him I wish to see him. Bid him come here." "What! the skipper? You mean, ask him if I may take you to him, and he'll see you." "I said, Tell your skipper to come here!" said Humphrey, drawing himself up and speaking as if he were on the quarterdeck. "Tell him I wish to see him at once." Bart drew a long breath, and wrinkled up his forehead so that it seemed as if he had an enormous weight upon his head. Then, smiling grimly, he slowly left the place. The buccaneer, who looked anxious and dispirited, was listening to some complaint made by his lieutenant, and angry words were passing which made Bart as he heard them hasten his steps, and look sharply from one to the other as he entered. Black Mazzard did what was a work of supererogation as he encountered Bart's eye--he scowled, his face being villainous enough without.