Jack Marcy listened with mouth agape.
“Well, you boys deserve to get home, for you’re persevering enough, that’s sure,” and Jack went on to tell about the change in the usual sailing route of the ship.
It seemed that the coast trade had been light during the late winter months, and Captain Morris had prepared for a voyage to Nova Scotia and points farther north.
“I don’t know what he’ll say when he finds you’re aboard,” said Jack, dubiously.
“Don’t let him know; oh, please don’t tell him,” pleaded Tom, anxiously.
“We can’t very well hide the truth from him, lad,” said Jack. “Don’t begin to blubber, now, and we’ll think of the easiest way to get you out of this fix. You’re hungry, I guess; eh, lads?”
Will assented eagerly.
“I’ll get you something to eat and drink, and we’ll think the affair over,” said Jack.
He left them and returned in a few minutes with the promised food.
Then he relocked the door and left his young charges anxious and suspenseful over his promised mental consideration of the case.