THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER."
Many days passed.
The lives of the captives were unvaried by any incident. They saw nothing of Captain Vindex; were well attended to, slept comfortably, and had nothing to complain of but their imprisonment.
Books were freely supplied them, but they were not allowed to leave their cabins.
At the expiration of a fortnight or thereabouts, as well as they could reckon, negro Number One entered their cabin after breakfast.
Addressing Mont, the negro observed:
"Massa Folsom to come to cappen's cabin."
"Does he want me?" inquired Mont. "All right. Good-by, my friends," he added, "perhaps you will never see me again. I may be the first victim."
"No fear!" exclaimed Carl. "We shan't be hurt if we keep quiet."
"I'll suggest that you're the fattest, Carl, if there is any question of cooking one of us."