“But if the convicts had used her, they would have pillaged her, or rather gone off with her.”
“Gone off! where to—to Tabor Island?” replied Pencroft. “Do you think they would risk themselves in a boat of such small tonnage?”
“We must, besides, be sure that they know of the islet,” rejoined the reporter.
“However that may be,” said the sailor, “as sure as my name is Bonadventure Pencroft, of the Vineyard, our Bonadventure has sailed without us!”
The sailor was so positive that neither Gideon Spilett nor Herbert could dispute his statement. It was evident that the vessel had been moved, more or less, since Pencroft had brought her to Port Balloon. As to the sailor, he had not the slightest doubt that the anchor had been raised and then dropped again. Now, what was the use of these two manoeuvres, unless the vessel had been employed in some expedition?
“But how was it we did not see the Bonadventure pass in sight of the island?” observed the reporter, who was anxious to bring forward every possible objection.
“Why, Mr Spilett,” replied the sailor, “they would only have to start in the night with a good breeze, and they would be out of sight of the island in two hours.”
“Well,” resumed Gideon Spilett, “I ask again, what object could the convicts have had in using the Bonadventure, and why, after they had made use of her, should they have brought her back to port?”
“Why, Mr Spilett,” replied the sailor, “we must put that among the unaccountable things, and not think anything more about it. The chief thing is that the Bonadventure was there, and she is there now. Only, unfortunately, if the convicts take her a second time, we shall very likely not find her again in her place!”
“Then, Pencroft,” said Herbert, “would it not be wisest to bring the Bonadventure off to Granite House?”