The moment she reached the deck, she glanced eagerly round her.
"Where is he? Where is Mr. Manton, my father, sir?" she said, addressing the captain.
The latter's countenance fell; in a few words he explained.
It was a terrible shock to the girl. Pale as death she staggered, and would have fallen but for the support of her companion's arm.
When she could stand alone, he inquired all the particulars of the captain, who promptly gave what information he could.
"Are you certain he was lost?" inquired the young man; "was there no way in which he might have saved himself?"
"I fear not," was the reply. "We must have been two miles from land at the time."
"Papa was an excellent swimmer," faltered the young girl. "He might have reached the land."
The captain, however, shook his head, saying he felt quite certain that his passenger was not saved.
Further remarks were exchanged, when the captain added that the passenger's chest, unmolested, was in the cabin as it had been left.