“There’s nobody aboard that can tell me anything, or that will tell anything if they can.”
“And did you learn nothing?”
“Nothing but this: that Lieut. Force has gone to make his report at headquarters, and nobody knows when he will be back. And the pirate and his mate are gone before the commissioner of prisoners, and nobody knows what their fate is to be.”
“And did you hear nothing—nothing at all of Roland?” inquired Rosemary, in a faint voice.
“Nothing whatever, my girl! I did inquire, but no one knew anything of any young man of that name. I am very sorry, my poor child.”
Rosemary had grown very pale and looked as if she were about to faint.
The old skipper raised her in his arms and laid her in the carriage, where she sank back upon the cushions.
Mrs. Force got in, seated herself beside Rosemary and drew the suffering girl to her bosom.
“Have courage, my love,” she whispered, through her tears—“have courage. Roland may have made his escape from the Argente before she was captured by the Eagle; or he may be, by a mistake, with the other prisoners on board a man-of-war. Have courage, dear love.”
“Oh, Mrs. Force, I cannot—I cannot any longer! I feel as if I should give up and die!” moaned the girl.