"Get to the point, Governor, what has Jim Harris to do with the stolen map?" Asked Captain Balfour of the shore patrols.
"Just this, I believe Jim Harris took that map!"
"Perhaps you are justified in your suspicions, Governor, but quite unlikely. We only have hearsay evidence that he was seen in these waters, and even if it were true, he wouldn't dare show his face in any Calcutta port for he'd instantly be recognized. There's no way he could have come all the way in here to steal the map without somebody seeing him!" Responded the Captain.
"True, but just the same, I'd like your help to search every port in the area for any possibility that it was him. We can't be too careful with such a valuable thing as that map!" Said the governor.
"Very well, Sir, though I deem it will bring no results."
"Hurry everyone, be up you slobs!" Cried a young sailor. "Look yonder, here comes the shore parol!"
"Shore patrol!" Exclaimed a few other pirates in response, "Somebody wake the Capt'n! We'd better scuttle this tub or we'll be in the brig!"
Captain Jim came dashing onto the deck only partially dressed with bare feet and his shirt tails fluttering wildly in the early morning light.
"Get the lead out, me boy's, fer it's us their lookin' fer!" Jim encouraged desperately. By the tone of his voice one could imagine that should the shore patrol catch them, life would become very unpleasant!
"They been huntin' fer me fer years," thought Jim, "Ay only pray today's no the day they find me!"
To be continued...
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