After looking the matter over again, Prince Frisbone changed his opinion; and even Shakings admitted that it would be safer to go to Funchal. Capt. O’Hara gave out the course accordingly. But it was agreed by all, that it was useless to put in at the Canaries; and the ship was headed direct for her port in the Madeiras. In four days she arrived at Funchal. O’Hara and Raymond hastened on shore. They went to the consul’s office first. The American Prince and the Marian had been there the day before, and had sailed for Fayal again. The principal had left a letter for the captain of the Ville d’Angers. O’Hara took it, and eagerly broke the seal. The missive simply instructed him to run for Fayal, if Mr. Frisbone did not object; and, if the fleet were not there, to remain as long as was necessary for the students to see the island, and then, if the fleet had departed, to sail for the Bermudas, making a harbor at St. George’s. Mr. Lowington stated that the Ville d’Angers had been reported at Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, and that he had ceased to be anxious for the safety of the absentees.
All this was very satisfactory to the captain of the steamer. He asked the consul for his prisoner; but this gentleman stated that Mr. Lowington had settled the case. As soon as possible, the Ville d’Angers was on her way to the Western Islands. The fleet had gone. After a day at Horta, the steamer followed, and reached St. George on the 23d. No fleet was there.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE LAST OF THE ISLES OF THE SEA.
“DON’T you believe those youngsters have gone off on a lark, Mr. Lowington?” asked Judge Rodwood, after they had gone on shore at Funchal, on their arrival from Fayal in search of the missing steamer.
“I do not think so now, though such was my fear in the first of it,” replied the principal.
They had been to the banker’s, and ascertained all they could about the Ville d’Angers; and were now on their way to the office of the consul.
“I think it must be a great temptation to such young fellows as this O’Hara and Tom Speers,” added the judge. “You say that the captain of the steamer has the absolute command of her.”
“He has in the absence of any vice-principal; for it does not answer to place a landsman over a sailor at sea,” replied Mr. Lowington. “But for all this, Capt. Fairfield, the instructor on board, would have influence enough to prevent the students from going off on a runaway excursion.”
“Frisbone would prevent it, if the instructor could not; for he is a very decided man, and, if any thing is wrong, he does not mind cutting through any amount of red tape.”
“As a rule, we have a stronger hold on these young men than mere force,” continued Mr. Lowington. “Take your ward, for instance: he is ambitious to obtain promotion; and any thing in the shape of a lark would spoil all his chances. He was so interested in his future prospects in the Tritonia, that he has been running away from the vast fortune in store for him; and certainly he would not peril all his hopes by engaging in a runaway expedition.”