oger sat next to Ralph Reynolds in the stern-sheets, and,
as they made their way at top speed towards the ship, Reynolds said to
Roger:

"Young man, let me tell you that you and your two seamen have had a very
narrow escape from imprisonment on that island for the remainder of your
lives! We were running up before a fine breeze, this morning, for that
wretched sand-bank of yours, intending to take you off, when we saw a
craft steal out from under the lee of the island. One of the men aboard
at once recognised her as the _Black Pearl_--the ship of that
arch-scoundrel Jose Leirya. We signalled the commodore to that effect,
and he replied, ordering all the ships to make sail and chase; for, you
see, there is no doubt he very naturally supposed that the pirate had
carried you off with him. Of course, sooner or later we should have
brought the rogue to action; but that would not have helped you, as by
all accounts he is the sort of man who goes down fighting his ship to
the very last, rather than surrender, and that, I fully expect, is what
will happen. Then the captain, I take it, thinking, of course, that you
had gone down with the ship, would have dismissed you from his mind; and
in yonder bit of an island you would have remained for the rest of your
lives, or until taken off by some passing ship. The latter contingency,
however, is a very unlikely one, so far as English ships are concerned,
since the island is unknown to the English. And I have a notion that
you would find it much more comfortable to die there, than be taken off
by a Spanish vessel and delivered into the clutches of the Dons. The
fact is, that all hands were too busily engaged in watching the chase to
take much notice of your island. But here we are alongside. Now, men,
up you come on deck smartly, and get that boat hoisted in. Hook on the
falls there, and up with her!"

Reynolds sprang up the side ladder and, reaching the deck, closely
followed by Roger, saluted the captain, who was waiting for him at the
gangway, and reported himself.

"Very well," said the captain, "get that boat lifted out the water. She
must be hauled up and secured after we have swung the yards and are once
more on the move. Up helm, Mr Widdicombe, and get way on her!"

Then he turned to Roger and welcomed him on board the ship;
commiserating with him on his discomforts while on the sand-bank, and
congratulating him upon his as yet unexplained and inexplicable escap