about midnight
Now , thinks I , it ai n't pleasant to be an eavesdropper , but as I 'm here to find out the secrets of villains , and as these two look uncommon like villains , I 'll wait a bit ; if they broach business as do n't consarn me or her Majesty the Queen , I 'll sneeze an ' let 'em know I 'm here , before they 're properly under weigh ; but if they speaks of wot I wants to know , I 'll keep quiet . Well , sir , to my surprise , the Arab -- he speaks in bad English , whereby I came to suppose the other was an Englishman , but , if he is , the climate must have spoiled him badly , for I never did see such a ruffian to look at . But he only laughed , and did n't speak , so I could n't be sure . Well , to come to the pint , sir , the Arab said he 'd got hold of two shipwrecked Englishmen , whom he meant to put on board of his dhow , at that time lyin ' up a river not three miles off , and full of slaves , take 'em off the coast , seize 'em when asleep , and heave 'em overboard ; the reason bein ' that he was afraid , if they was left ashore here , they 'd discover the town , which they are ignorant of at present , and give the alarm to our ship , sir , an ' so prevent him gettin ' clear off , which he means to attempt about midnight just after the moon goes down . '' This unexpected information was very gratifying to Captain Romer , who immediately gave orders to get steam up and have everything in readiness to start the moment he should make his appearance on board , at the same time enjoining absolute silence on his lieutenants and Jackson , who all returned to the ` Firefly , ' chuckling inwardly . If they had known that the Arab 's information , though partly true , was a _ ruse _ ; that Jackson had indeed been observed by the keen-eyed Oriental , who had thereupon sat down purposely within earshot , and after a whispered hint to his companion , gave forth such information as would be likely to lead the British cruiser into his snares -- speaking in bad English , under the natural impression that the sailor did not understand Portuguese , to the immense amusement of Marizano , who understood the _ ruse _ , though he did not understand a single word of what his companion said -- had they known all this , we say , it is probable that they would have chuckled less , and -- but why indulge in probabilities when facts are before us ? The sequel will show that the best-laid plans may fail .