We knew full well our crew was so strong in numbers that a dozen men might have been spared, even in the midst of the most furious tempest, to relieve us for at least so long as would be necessary to get our dinner.
Because of our mental anxiety, it was impossible to form any fair idea regarding the passage of time; but it seemed to me as if the night must have come, when Simon said, in a whisper, his voice quavering wofully:
“Would you be willing to stay here alone, while I went on deck to learn what may be happening?”
“It seems positive one of the prisoners is outside the brig, and it might be that, when there was only a single boy on guard, he would make an attempt at setting his comrades free,” I replied, rejoicing that I had so valid an excuse to give; for, of a verity, I should have been in sore distress at being forced to remain there alone, even though all the Britishers were safe within the prison.
“I would give much to know why they have seemingly forgotten us,” the lad said, with a long-drawn sigh.
“Then stay here, and I’ll find out in a twinkling.”
“If it is dangerous for you to be here alone, surely I should not be asked to take the chances.”
“I’m not asking you; but simply showing how we may learn what has happened.”
“Some one must come in course of time, no matter how much mischief has been done, and perhaps it is just as well if we wait patiently,” he said, with an effort to speak in a cheery strain, and at that instant I could have cried aloud with joy, for the gleam of dull light from the hatchway was shut off by the figure of a man.