That they had been driven on shore by the stress of weather the captain did not believe.

There had been no high winds or storms since their departure.

Most likely they had been induced to land by seeing some of the Rackbirds on shore, and they had naturally rowed into the little cove, for assistance from their fellow-beings was what they were in search of.

But no matter how they happened to land, the Rackbirds would never let them go away again to carry news of the whereabouts of their camp.

Almost unarmed, these sailors must have fallen easy victims to the Rackbirds.
It was not unlikely that the men had been shot down from ambush without having had any intercourse or conversation with the cruel monsters to whom they had come to seek relief, for had there been any talk between them, Rynders would have told of his companions left on shore, and these would have been speedily visited by the desperadoes.