“Did you see the pirate with the parrot?” asked Titty when she came out after stowing her pillow.
“What pirate?” asked the female native.
“The one on the houseboat. We saw him. And his parrot.”
Mr. Jackson laughed. “So that’s what you call him,” he said. “I dare say you’re right.”
“I saw the houseboat,” said the female native.
“It’s Mr. Turner,” said the powerful native. “He usually lives on the houseboat in summertime. This year he won’t let anyone go near him. Last year those Blackett girls, nieces of his from the other side of the lake, were always with him. Not this year though. Keeps himself to himself this summer, does Mr. Turner. No one knows what he does there, but they do say he’s got things in that houseboat worth a fortune.”
“That’s his treasure,” said Titty. “I knew he was a retired pirate. Of course he can’t let anybody go near it.”
“Vicky will be wanting me,” said the female native, “so I won’t stay with you. And anyhow you don’t want too many natives about, I’m sure. It’s beginning to get dark and if I were you I should be early to sleep, for the sun will wake you in the morning, even if the birds don’t.”
“Thank you ever so much for bringing the things,” said Susan.
“Specially the lanterns,” said Titty.
“Glook, glook, glook,” said the female native, as she began to walk down to the landing-place. “No, I think I won’t have any tea, thank you. You’ve had yours and day is nearly over. Oh,” she added, “there’s one thing I’d forgotten.” She went for a moment into the captain’s tent and came out