Fortunately for them, the confusion and crowd on deck were so great that nobody noticed from what direction they came when they appeared, and it was taken for granted by all concerned that both had rushed from their bunks when the general alarm that followed the “broaching to� of the schooner took place.
And so ended their first attempt to escape from the seal poacher Polly Ann. Both lads were bitterly disappointed at the way Fate had turned her face against them, but both determined to try again at the first opportunity. Meantime, the Polly Ann forged northward, and destiny was weaving strange threads which were fated to form an important part in the fabrics of their lives.
CHAPTER XI: A FIENDISH PLOT.
Captain Briggs, in a sheepish sort of way, tried to make friends with Jack following the episode on the dock. But Jack had little use for the man and kept on with his own devices, paying little attention to Captain Briggs, except in the line of duty.
On the night before which they were to sail for America again, Jack had been uptown to post some cards and letters and did not return to the ship till about nine o’clock at night. As he made his way to his cabin, he was startled to see what he thought was a human figure gliding among the boats and life-rafts on the deck outside, for the wireless-room of the Cambodian, like most such structures, was perched upon the boat deck.
“Now, who could that be?� thought the boy. “Guess I’ll take a look around. These docks are infested with thieves, and although there’s a watchman on duty, somebody may have sneaked on board.�
But although he made what was quite a thorough search, he could find no trace of the man he thought he had seen dodging among the boats as if seeking a hiding place. He was forced to conclude at length that, in the uncertain light, he must have mistaken the swaying shadow of a rope or part of the rigging, for a human form.
“Well, I guess I’ll turn in,� decided Jack, as he opened his cabin door. “We sail early to-morrow and I’ll have to be on the job.�
He undressed slowly, thinking of many things, among them of Raynor and his fate.
“Somehow I cannot bring myself to believe that he is drowned,� reflected the boy. “I’m just as sure as I am that I am sitting here that he will turn up some day. And yet he should have been picked up by one of the ships I spoke with if he succeeded in keeping afloat. But maybe a sailing craft rescued him. In that case he might have to make a voyage to China before he could communicate with the outside world.�