"Yes, sir, my mate, Joseph Bumstead. His leg is broken."
"What?" cried Nat and the pilot in the same breath.
"Bumstead is his name. I don't see anything peculiar in that," replied Captain Carter, looking at the two in surprise.
"Well, as it happens, there is something peculiar about it," went on Captain Turton. "We have a warrant for his arrest on a serious charge. However, if his leg is broken, he isn't very likely to get away, and I think we can proceed with the investigation. I want to find out who is to blame for this."
"Your steersman, of course," was Captain Carter's quick answer.
"It's natural you should say that. But we'll see."
Several members of the crew of both vessels were called as witnesses. Nat told his story, of how he had tried to warn the other vessel away, and how the steersman of it had persisted in crowding him.
"By the way, who is your pilot?" asked Mr. Weatherby. "I haven't seen him since I came aboard."
"I have no regular pilot," answered Captain Carter. "My mate, Mr. Bumstead, whom I recently engaged, was steering when the collision occurred. He told me he could qualify as a pilot."
"Hum," remarked Mr. Weatherby. "I think it will be a good plan to question Bumstead."