Then came the important question—Where were they?
The boatswain gave it as his opinion that they had been going westward, but he could give no reason why; and it was decided to continue in that direction, after Gurr had satisfied himself that the men were all present, though they learned that there had been a good deal of hailing before all were collected.
They trudged on almost in silence, for the whole party were wearied out, till an announcement galvanised them all, for suddenly Dick put an end to the question of their journeying west by suddenly shouting,—
“South ho!”
“Eh? What do you mean?” cried the master.
“I know yon hill,” said Dick, pointing to an eminence dimly seen away before him. “That’s just close to the cove, and if we keep straight on, we shall be in the road in less than half an hour, and at the boats ten minutes later.”
“No, no, my lad,” said the master; “I don’t think that’s right.—Yes, it is, my lad; I’m ’most sure of it now.”
Right it was, as was proved a quarter of an hour later, by their striking the rough road at right angles, and there a halt was called.
“Don’t seem any good to go searching along again in the dark, Mr Raystoke,” said the master; and the boatswain shook his head decisively.
“All ’bout done up,” he growled.