The boat started and speedily disappeared. For some minutes the cadenced sound of the oars dipping in the water could be heard, and then all became silent again. The Captain had watched the departure of his prisoners; when the boat had disappeared in the gloom, he gave Master Lovel orders to weigh and stand out to sea, and then returned to his cabin, where a man was waiting for him. It was Tranquil, the old Tigrero.
"Well!" the hunter asked.
"They have gone, thank Heaven!" the Captain said, as he sat down.
"Then we are at liberty?"
"Quite."
"When shall we land?"
"This night; but is your information positive?"
"I believe so."
"Well, we shall soon know how matters stand."
"May Heaven grant that we succeed!"