It was as if Simon’s fears gave me courage, for I replied, stoutly, as one might who never knew what it was to be timorous:
“We have no right to question the captain’s wisdom, and should think only of carrying out his wishes to the letter.”
Simon made no reply, for a lad cannot well grumble against his father’s commands, and we loitered around as if from no other motive than that of curiosity, while the prisoners were making a tumult with their greetings and questionings.
Before the day was come to an end Simon suggested to me that we take it upon ourselves to find the man who had escaped.
Since the last batch of prisoners had arrived the guard was strengthened, and now, as I understood from Mr. Fernald, no less than three of the crew would be on duty constantly, even during an engagement, therefore might Simon and I make search for this solitary Britisher if it so pleased us.
But I was not minded to act upon his suggestion, believing Captain Ropes would have ordered an immediate search, unless it was his purpose to so conduct the matter that the America’s crew should understand beyond a peradventure who had played the part of ghost.
If we two lads took the matter in our own hands, we might upset the commander’s plans most seriously.
Therefore it was that we hung about the brig, regardless of the fact that the men detailed as guard expressed no little surprise because of our willingness to remain below while we might be on deck; and one day after another passed, while the America cruised to and fro in the track of merchantmen, as if her commander had forgotten equally his son and those whom the latter had been set to watch.
Each day the prisoners were taken on deck, twelve or fourteen at a time, and the fellow who had succeeded in freeing himself from the brig must have come to the conclusion that his was an unwise move, since he had thus deprived himself of the privilege of fresh air.