“Oh! sir, it was true—too true! He had every proof of its truth! Therefore, you understand that poor Roland, if he was a prisoner among the blockade runners and a witness to deeds even more unlawful and more criminal, could not open his mouth with explanations that might be fatal to Capt. Silver.” “The scoundrel is no more Roland’s father than I am! No, not by an infinite distance, for I have been a father to the boy ever since he was a baby. And I know that scoundrel is nothing to him! I know the reason why he told such a falsehood to the young man. It was to get him into his power and seal his lips! Did Roland, for instance, tell you how he came to be separated from Capt. Grandiere, and to be on board the blockade runner, or rather the pirate, as she really was?” “No, sir. I explained to you that he would tell me nothing but that fate had brought him there.” “Of course. Then I will tell you. Capt. Grandiere’s ship, the _Kitty_, was taken by the pirate _Argente_ about six weeks since only. Her crew were put into open boats and sent adrift to sink or swim, find land or perish, as fate might will. Her two officers, Skipper Grandiere and Mate Bayard, were taken prisoners, and brought on board the _Argente_, while a part of the pirate crew were sent on board the _Kitty_, to take her, with her rich cargo, to some port—Heaven knows where! That is how young Bayard came on board the pirate ship.” “Is—it—possible!” exclaimed Le, in amazement. “Yes; and from the time the master and mate of the _Kitty_ were captured by Silver they were never allowed to meet. Roland, who had been wounded, was kept below in the cockpit. Silver told Capt. Grandiere that Bayard had decided to take service with him, and did not wish to see his old captain for fear of unpleasant words. Silver was near the English coast, and he sent a boat ashore at night and landed the old skipper on a remote beach in Cornwall, and left him to find his way to London as best he might.” “But how did you find out all this, Uncle Abel?” inquired Le, unable to get over his amazement. “Grandiere went up to London on a third-class train, found his correspondents, told his story, got what money he wanted, and engaged passage on the _Asia_ from Liverpool to New York. We came over on the same steamer. That is how we came to know it.” “Where is Capt. Grandiere now?” inquired Le.