“NOW, fellows, what shall we do?” asked Captain Rich, as soon as the lights on the tug had disappeared around the head of the island. “It is my intention,” he added, by way of apology, fearful that some of his crew might think he did not know what course he ought to pursue, “to consult my officers every time we are in trouble. I think a captain always ought to do that. So, let’s hear from you.”
“I propose that we hold over toward the mainland,” said Johnny. “We’re safe from pursuit now until morning; but we want to keep as far away from that tug as possible.”
As Captain Rich raised no objections to this proposition, the third mate brought the sloop about, and headed her away from the island. The breeze was freshening, and, when the swallow felt its full force, she began to fly over the waves like a duck. The runaways were delighted with the exhibition of speed she made, and some of the reckless ones wished that the schooner would again come in sight, so that they might show her how badly they could beat her.
While Tom had been carrying out his plans, and arranging matters for the cruise, it had never occurred to him to decide where they would go, should their attempt at escape prove successful. In fact, none of the deserters had ever broached this subject, believing, no doubt, that it was of secondary importance, and could be easily settled at any time. But now this question was brought up by the third mate, who, after calling a boy to take his place at the wheel, asked the captain to give out the course.
“That’s something I can’t do,” replied Rich, “until you tell me where you want to go.”
“Let’s visit New Bedford,” said one of the “landlubbers,” as the deserters crowded around their officers; “it’s not far out of our way, and some of us want to go there to look at the whale ships.”
“No, no!” shouted several of the boys.
“I object to visiting any city or town,” said Johnny, “for there’s danger in it. It isn’t often that a crowd of fellows are seen cruising about in a vessel like this, and some one might ask unpleasant questions.”
As the debate progressed, and votes were taken on the places proposed, it became evident that none of the boys had neglected to give some thought to this important question. One suggested that it would be a good opportunity to visit the fishing banks off Newfoundland; another thought it would be a cheap way of getting to New York; while a third, who had never seen a sheet of water larger than Newport Bay, was in favor of camping on some island close to the village. Each boy brought forward a host of arguments to convince the rest of the deserters that his plan for their amusement was the best; but it was finally discovered that those who wanted to visit Nantucket were in the majority; and, after a strong opposition from some of the timid “landlubbers,” who did not want to trust themselves very far from shore in so small a vessel, this point was settled.
“Now, captain, what’s the course?” asked Johnny, again.