He had just time to step back, when the door flew open, and he stood face to face with Hugh Barnes the cooper.
"Have you heard the news, Henry ?--hallo!" This abrupt exclamation was caused by the sight of Gascoyne, who rose quietly the moment he heard the door open, and turning his back towards it, walked slowly into a small apartment that opened off the widow's parlor, and shut the door.
"I say, Henry, who's that big fellow ?" said the cooper, casting a suspicious glance towards the little room into which he had disappeared.
"He is a _friend_ of mine," replied Mrs.Stuart, rising hastily, and welcoming her visitor.
"Humph! it's well he's a _friend,_" said the man, as he took a chair; "I shouldn't like to have him for an enemy." "But what is the news you were so anxious to tell us ?" inquired Henry.
"That Gascoyne, the pirate captain, has been seen on the island by some of the women, and there's a regular hunt organizing.

Will you go with us ?" "I have more important work to do, Hugh," replied Henry; "besides, I want you to go with me on a hunt which I'll tell you about if you'll come with me to the creek." "By all means.

Come along." Henry and the cooper at once left the cottage.

The latter was let into the secret, and prevailed on to form one of the crew of the Wasp, as the little cutter was named.

In the course of the afternoon everything was in readiness.