“What is it?”
“A hail right in the distance.”
“No such luck, my lad. I don’t know how I’m going to face Mr Brough. Hark!”
“Yes; there it is again, away to the left. Yes; there it goes. Ahoy!”
They stopped and listened after the midshipman had hailed as loudly as he could; and, to the intense delight of both, the hail was responded to.
Hurriedly changing their direction, they went on as rapidly as the rough ground would allow, getting an answering hail every time they shouted, and each time louder, as if those who called were also coming toward them.
Ten minutes later they heard voices, by degrees these became a murmur, and they knew that there must be several of the men together.
In another ten minutes they came upon a group steadily approaching.
Mutual inquiries took place.
No, the men had not captured the fugitive, but they were sure it was a boy; Dirty Dick was ready to take an oath to that effect, but he was not asked.