I WARN DOROTHY The Portuguese, evidently well pleased at my prompt acceptance of his proposal, talked on for some time, explaining to me something of the situation aboard the _Namur_, and pointing out what he believed to be our position on the chart.

I asked a few questions, although I paid but little attention to what he said, my mind being busied with searching out his real purpose.

No doubt the situation was very nearly as he described it to be--LeVere was no navigator, and Estada himself only an indifferent one.

Yet at that the course to the West Indies was not a long one, and, if the Portuguese had been able to bring the bark from there to the Chesapeake, the return voyage should not terrify him greatly.

No, that was not the object; he was planning to keep at sea, to waylay and attack merchant ships, and then, after a successful cruise, arrive at Porto Grande, laden with spoils, and hailed as a great leader.