“And a whole bag of molasses,” said Titty. “Do you know how to make rum punch? That’s made out of molasses, isn’t it?”
“I expect so,” said the mate. “I’ve never tried.”
Tea was ready. Eggs were boiling in the saucepan, and the mate was timing their boiling by the chronometer.
“Three minutes,” she said, “and they’d been in a little before I began to count. They’re done all right now.” She fished the eggs out one by one with a spoon. For some minutes eggs and bread and butter and tea put a stop to talking. After that there was bread and marmalade. After that the mate served out a ration of molasses all round. “Molasses are very good anyhow,” she said. “We’ll make rum punch if there are any molasses we don’t want.”
At last breakfast was over and Captain John spoke.
“Mister Mate,” he said, “I call a council.”
They were all sitting round the fire, which was now burning low. The saucepan full of water was standing among the embers, keeping hot for washing up the stickier things.
Mate Susan sat up and looked about her.
“The whole ship’s company is here, sir,” she said.
“We have an enemy,” said Captain John.
“Who is it?” said Able-seaman Titty eagerly.
“It’s the pirates in the Amazon ,” said Roger.
“Shut up,” said the mate.
“You know the man on the houseboat,” said Captain John.