Now, it happened that Jo Bumpus, oppressed with a feeling of concern for his former captain, and with a feeling of doubt as to the stirring events in which he was an actor being waking realities, had wandered up the mountain-side in order to indulge in profound philosophical reflections.
Happening to hear the noise caused by the joyful meeting which we have just described, he turned aside to see what all the "row" could be about, and thus came unexpectedly on Alice and her friends.
About the same time it chanced (for things sometimes do happen by chance in a very remarkable way, it chanced that Will Corrie, being also much depressed about Gascoyne), resolved to take into his confidence Dick Price, the boatswain, with whom during their short voyage together he had become intimate.
He found that worthy seated on a cask at the end of the rude pile of coral rocks that formed the quay of Sandy Cove, surrounded by some of his shipmates, all of whom, as well as himself, were smoking their pipes and discussing things in general.
Corrie went forward and pulled Dick by the sleeve.
"Hallo, boy! what do you want with me?" said the boatswain.
"I want to speak to you."
"Well, lad, fire away."
"Yes, but I want you to come with me," said the boy, with an anxious and rather mysterious look.
"Very good—heave ahead," said the boatswain, getting up, and following Corrie with a peculiarly nautical roll.