As Francisco made this reply, the captain came up the ladder. Hawkhurst turned away and walked forward. 'There is mischief in that man, Francisco,' said the captain in an undertone; 'I hardly know whom to trust; but he must be watched. He is tampering with the men, and has been for some time; not that it is of much consequence, if he does but remain quiet for a little while. The command of this vessel he is welcome to very soon; but if he attempts too early----' 'I have those I can trust to,' replied Francisco. 'Let us go below.' Francisco sent for Pompey the Krouman, and gave him his directions in the presence of the captain. That night, to the surprise of all, Hawkhurst kept his watch; and, notwithstanding the fatigue, appeared every day to be rapidly recovering from his wound. Nothing occurred for several days, during which the _Avenger_ still continued her course. What the captain's intentions were did not transpire; they were known only to Francisco. 'We are very short of water, sir,' reported Hawkhurst one morning; 'shall we have enough to last us to where we are going?' 'How many days of full allowance have we on board?' 'Not above twelve at the most.' 'Then we must go on half allowance,' replied Cain. 'The ship's company wish to know where we are going, sir.' 'Have they deputed you to ask the question?' 'Not exactly, sir; but I wish to know myself,' replied Hawkhurst, with an insolent air. 'Turn the hands up,' replied Cain; 'as one of the ship's company under my orders, you will, with the others, receive the information you require.' The crew of the pirate collected aft. 'My lads,' said Cain, 'I understand, from the first mate, that you are anxious to know where you are going? In reply, I acquaint you that, having so many wounded men on board, and so much plunder in the hold, I intend to repair to our rendezvous when we were formerly in this part of the world--the _Caicos_. Is there any other question you may wish to ask of me?' 'Yes,' replied Hawkhurst; 'we wish to know what your intentions are relative to that young man, Francisco. We have lost immense wealth; we have now thirty men wounded in the hammocks, and nine we left dead on the shore; and I have a bullet through my body; all of which has been occasioned by him. We demand justice!' Here Hawkhurst was supported by several of the pirates; and there were many voices which repeated the cry of 'Justice!'