“They’ll never think of searching for me there. I’ll go, Will, if we can get there without being seen.”
“Come along, then.”
Will took the most retired route he could think of to reach the mill. As he went along he talked seriously to Tom about his future, and advised him to find his way to an uncle who lived some distance down the coast, and from whose charge Tom, who was an orphan, had run away to gain a seafaring experience at bitter cost.
“Won’t I see you to-morrow?” inquired Tom, lugubriously, somewhat depressed at being left to his own resources.
“I expect not.”
“Are you going away?”
“I may, Tom,” and Will told of Mr. Hunter’s offer.
Tom’s face grew animated and his eyes flashed eagerly as Will enthusiastically referred to the plans of the expedition.
“Oh, if I could only go with you!” he ejaculated.
“I don’t know that I am going myself, Tom.”