From the negro, Flint learned that the Indians had tracked him to the cave, but not finding him there, and not being able to trace him any further, they had given up the pursuit.
Flint thinking that the boy might be of service to him in the business he was about to enter upon, took him into the cave and put him in charge of Lightfoot.
On reaching the city, Flint purchased the schooner of which he was in command when first introduced to the reader.
It is said that, "birds of a feather flock together," and Flint having no difficulty gathering about him a number of kindred spirits, was soon in a condition to enter upon the profession as he called it, most congenial to his taste and habits.
CHAPTER VI.
When the crew of the schooner woke up on the morning following the night in which we have described in a previous chapter, they were by no means the reckless, dare-devil looking men they were when they entered the cave on the previous evening.
For besides the usual effects produced on such characters by a night's debauch, their countenances wore the haggard suspicious look of men who felt judgment was hanging over them; that they were in the hands of some mysterious power beyond their control. Some power from which they could not escape, and which sooner or later, would mete out to them the punishment they felt that they deserved.
They had all had troubled dreams, and several of them declared that they had heard that terrible groan during the night repeated if possible, in a more horrible manner than before.
To others the ghosts of the men they had lately murdered, appeared menacing them with fearful retribution.
As the day advanced, and they had to some extent recovered their spirits by the aid of their favorite stimulants, they attempted to laugh the matter off as a mere bugbear created by an imagination over heated by too great an indulgence in strong drink.