"I rayther think I'll ask, at any rate," said the captain.
So saying, he walked up towards a house that was not far off, and accosted some men who were standing there. On hearing his question, they were silent for a few moments; and at last one of them recollected seeing an aged colored man passing by early in the morning. He had a basket on his arm, and in every way corresponded to the description of Solomon. He was on his way up the shore.
"Did he go down to the pint," asked Captain Corbet, "or up to the top of the cliff?"
The man couldn't say for certain; but as far as he could recollect, it seemed to him that he went down to the pint.
"About what time?"
"Between eight and nine o'clock—in fact, about eight—not much later."
"Did he speak to any one here?"
"No; he walked past without stoppin. An do you say he ain't got back?"
"Not yet."
"Wal," said the man, "for an old feller, an a feller what don't know the country hereabouts, he's gone on a dangerous journey; an ef he's tried to get back, he's found it a pooty hard road to travel."