"How about hunting after the fellow who fired the ship?"
"There is no proof that anyone did do it. I believe the two who are missing were burned up before they could get out of the forecastle."
"Well, I don't," returned the mate.
"All right, Mr. Edwards," spoke up the captain, a little testily, "every one is welcome to his own opinion. If you want to start out on a wild-goose chase, why, go on; I am going to Sonhow."
All save three sided with the captain, and they at once started for the boats.
Those who remained were our hero, the mate, and a young sailor named Gregory.
Van was determined to try and find the trail of Doc Clancy, and the mate was with him because he liked the boy for his pluck and earnestness in hunting down the murderer of his uncle.
Gregory wanted to find the red-whiskered man, because the sailor who had been murdered was his half-brother.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" called out the captain from the water's edge.
"We have decided to stay where we are till daylight," replied the mate.