“To look and see if you were coming, of course.”
“Yes, of course,” said the man, in a peculiar manner, and a curious smile dawned upon his lip.
“But how did you manage to escape?”
“Jumped overboard and swam for it.”
“From the cutter’s boat?”
“No, from the sloop’s port-hole, my lad. But what about the cutter’s boat?” he added, with a sharply questioning look.
“She came across to the cove this morning, and I saw her not long ago.”
“Looking for me?”
“No; for the young middy who is missing. Tell me, Eben, did you know anything about him?”
“Me? Hush, don’t talk! The cutter’s men have been hunting me this last half-hour, and they’re out yonder among the gullies now. They see me, I think. So you’ve found it then?” he said, with a savagely malicious grin.