Three were the first of the party the officers encountered, and no others appeared to be near them.

One of them was smoking his pipe, and both of them were taking it very easily.

Not far from them was a knot of men who seemed to be disturbed by some kind of an excitement.
As the couple encountered manifested no interest in the affair, Christy concluded that they must know something about it, unless they were extremely scrupulous in adhering to the orders given them.
"What is the row there, French ?" asked Christy in a low and guarded tone, though there was no stranger very near him.
"The man in the middle is the captain of that schooner you see off the shore, sir.

His mate and three of his crew have deserted the vessel, and he can't go to sea without them," replied French.
"They say the steamer ahead is to tow the schooner out; but the captain cannot go because he has only two men left," added Lines, the other man of the pair.
"Do you know where to find Nos.

One and Two ?" continued the leader of the expedition.
"I do not, sir; for we keep clear of each other, as we were ordered," answered French, as he looked about him for the men designated.
"You two will separate, and find One and Two.