“There are but eighteen now, sir.”
“Are you two lads the only ones aboard ship who know that one of the men is missing?”
“So it would seem, sir. The cooks send nineteen pannikins when meals are served, and one of the prisoners comes forward twice for rations, in order to hide the absence of his companion.”
“So! And that’s the ghost, eh? You lads have done me a service which shall be rewarded later. Have you spoken with any of the crew on the subject?”
“No, sir; we thought it best to come first to you, and should have done so yesterday, had it been possible to get aft.”
“You have acted wisely; continue to hold your peace, and share guard duty with the sailors in order that he who has gained his liberty may not do a mischief. When the proper time comes, we’ll have a search for the missing man. Go forward now, and remember that this matter is not to be mentioned to the men.”
I was more than a little disappointed with the result of the interview, as Simon and I, obeying the captain’s command, took up our proper stations once more.
There had been in my mind the idea that some startling change would be the result of our communication, and yet I fancied Captain Ropes looked upon the matter as of but little importance, even though he declared we had rendered important service.
We lads might have conversed at greater length with the commander of the ship and yet failed of attracting the attention of our messmates, so intent were all upon watching the America’s boats as they neared the prize.