A small boat searched along the coast, but after a long quest no trace was found of the missing boy.
“He has been drowned,” decided Captain Bertram at last.
“Don’t say that, captain,” said old Jack, hopefully. “He may have been picked up by some ship.”
The next day the captain and crew of the Albatross set sail on the whaler for home. Jack, Hugo and Tom accompanied them.
They made a rapid and uneventful voyage.
Captain Bertram was continually under the gloom of his bereavement.
“Poor Will,” he would say; “what will the old folks say when they learn he is lost?”
“Cheer up, captain,” said Jack. “Will ain’t the boy to give up easily, and had a dozen chances for escape. He may be home before we are.”
As the ship neared home the action of Captain Morris was discussed.
“He shall be arrested at once,” said Captain Bertram, sternly. “It is his wickedness that caused all our troubles.”