How long they remained there they did not know.
Barnaby awoke, feeling a hand laid on his shoulder. It was Captain Vindex.
Springing to his feet in an instant, he said:
"Have you found him? Where is Mont?"
"Unhappily," said the captain, "we could find no trace of him."
"Why did I let him go last? I ought to have had him in front of me," cried Carl angrily. "Poor Mont! he is lying at the bottom of the sea, and I shall never see him again. Never, never!"
He covered his face with his hands, and the tears trickled down his cheeks.
"I have dispatched another party to seek for him," exclaimed the captain; "I am too worn out to go with them this time. If they find the body, we may restore him to consciousness."
"There is no hope," said Carl sadly; "you are the cause of his death. Why did you inclose us in this tomb, and then take one of us in the sea to die?"
"Was it my fault? You are hasty, my boy, and do me great injustice. I am as much grieved as yourself, for I had begun to love that lad," said the captain feelingly. "We will mourn for him together; there is a silent friendship in grief. We are friends, for we have the same sorrow."