“He must have left the others of his party,” mused the master of the Chester. “Humph! Well, I won’t treat him any too good. He’ll find out that he can’t boss me as the whole crowd did. If he gives me any lip I’ll lock him in the brig.”
Darry lost no time in retreating to the storeroom, where he told his story. Then Mark sauntered forth and passed the captain as the latter was entering the cabin.
This time Captain Sudlip’s jaw dropped in chagrin as well as amazement. He was about to back away without a word, but Mark did not allow this.
“Well, Captain, I see you got away on time,” he said, pleasantly. “Nothing like being prompt, eh?”
“Hum! Why—er—yes, I always sail on time,” came back, in snappy tones. “I—er—when did you come aboard?”
“Not very long ago,” and then Mark added, as Darry had done: “Seen anything of the rest of our crowd?”
“Saw one,” was the short answer, and then Captain Sudlip passed on, his face full of perplexity and chagrin.
It was Frank he met next. The boy had a book in his hand and pretended to be reading. But on catching sight of the captain he sang out cheerily: “Hi, Captain Sudlip, have you seen anything of the rest of our crowd?”
“Some of ’em,” growled the master of the steamer, and walked in another direction, to encounter Sam, who came up to him with a handkerchief to his eyes.
“Oh, Captain, Captain Sudlip!” he exclaimed tearfully. “I—I’m in trouble.”