[CHAPTER VI.]
A STERN CHASE.
We two lads were given over to fear and anxiety, as the hours went by and no one came to relieve us.
We had partially satisfied our hunger with the contents of the nineteenth pannikin, and had plenty of water close at hand with which to quench our thirst; but even though we had suffered for both these necessaries, it would have been as nothing compared to the distress of mind while imagining that the worst might be happening on deck.
The prisoners must have understood, both because they had not been taken out for exercise and owing to our being thus neglected, that something serious was in the wind.
For a time they plied us with questions, and then, realising that we either could or would not afford them any satisfaction, gave over the attempt.
I fancied they appeared disturbed, as if it were possible to guess somewhat of the situation, and I also wondered if there were really another man, who, having by some mysterious means gotten out of the brig, lurked about near at hand ready to do whatsoever he might toward releasing his comrades.
Before noon we understood that the wind was increasing in force, for the ship plunged into the deeps of the waves and clambered up again in such manner as told that she was labouring heavily.
Other than by the motion of the craft it was impossible to even guess what might be going on above, save that we might be in pursuit of an enemy.