"May I ask, sir, how you know
the pirate signals?"
M. de Radisson's face was a study in masks.
"You may ask, La Chesnaye," says he, rubbing his chin with a wrinkling
smile, "you may ask, but I'm hanged if I answer!"
And from lips that had whitened with fear but a moment before came
laughter that set the timbers ringing.
Then Foret found his tongue.
"Hang a baker's dozen of the mutineers from the yard-arm!"
"A baker's dozen is thirteen, Foret," retorted Radisson, "and the Ste.
Anne's crew numbers fifteen."
"Hang 'em in effigy as they do in Quebec," persists Foret.
Pierre Radisson only pointed over his shoulder to the port astern.
Crowding to the glazed window we saw a dozen scarecrows tossing from
the crosstrees of Groseillers's ship.
"What does Captain Radisson advise?" asks La Chesnaye.
"La Chesnaye," says Radisson, "I never advise. I act!"
CHAPTER VII
M. DE RADISSON ACTS
Quick as tongue could trip off the orders, eyes everywhere, thought and
act jumping together, Pierre Radisson had given each one his part, and
pledged our obedience, though he bade us walk the plank blindfold to
the sea. Two men were set to transferring powder and arms from the
forehold to our captain's cabin. One went hand over fist up the
mainmast and signalled the Ste.
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