Marables, who had never spoken, handed the key to the officer, who, opening a dark lanthorn, went down into the cabin and proceeded in his search, leaving two of the men to take charge of Fleming and Marables. But his search was in vain; he could find nothing, and he came out on deck.
“Well,” said Fleming, sarcastically, “have you made a seizure?”
“Wait a little,” said the officer; “how many men have you in this barge?”
“You see them,” replied Fleming.
“Yes; but you have a boy; where is he?”
“We have no boy,” replied Fleming; “two men are quite enough for this craft.”
“Still I ask you, what has become of the boy? for a boy was on your decks this afternoon.”
“If there was one, I presume he has gone on shore again.”
“Answer me another question; which of you threw him overboard?”
At this query of the officer, Fleming started, while Marables cried out, “It was not I; I would have saved him. O that the boy were here to prove it!”