“With Tom Dalton. The poor fellow was afraid Captain Morris would find him, and I went with him to try and find him a place to sleep,” and with this vague explanation Will bade his parents good-night and repaired to his own room.
He dozed restlessly the first portion of the night, and then, unable to sleep, his mind filled with thoughts of his varied adventures and the anticipated expedition of the morning, he wrapped a blanket around himself and stole silently to the kitchen.
He devoted the remainder of the night to drying his clothes. With the first break of dawn he had donned them and attended to various little chores around the house.
His curiosity impelled him to proceed a little distance down the street, whence a view of the harbor could be obtained.
He was familiar enough with the various craft at anchorage to miss the trim sails and masts of Captain Morris’ ship.
The Golden Moose had sailed during the night; but where was poor Tom Dalton, the runaway?
CHAPTER VII.
STRANGE COMPANIONS.
Will Bertram studied his mother’s face searchingly as he sat down to breakfast that morning. The sad, patient features gave no indication of the decision arrived at regarding the proposed expedition, however, and Will was compelled to wait until the morning meal was over before the subject was referred to.
“Well, my son, your mother and I have talked over the matter of your going away,” said Mr. Bertram.