He believed an ounce of prevention to be much better than a pound of cure.
There was no danger in sight, and probably it would be an act of madness on Shackelford's part to attempt to board the steam yacht under cover of darkness and secure the person of the man who had been aboard the blockade runner in disguise.
All the same, chances or not, Beven did not intend to neglect any precaution, for he was a man who did not believe in being caught napping.
To shut the door after the horse was stolen might be good policy with some men, but his idea lay in securing it ere this event happened.
Before retiring Roderic had an interview with the captain, and learned that worthy's views.
Then he sought his little stateroom.
As fortune would have it he was situated on that side of the boat nearer the steamer, and from either one of the bulls-eye openings he could see the uncertain dark mass that told just where the blockade runner lay, as well as her twinkling riding lights which must be kept burning the livelong night in order to prevent accident should arriving vessels enter the snug harbor.
And Roderic stood there a long time, his eyes fixed upon the inchoate outlines of the Sterling Castle, as one might gaze upon a vessel that bore his fate.
Many thoughts occupied his mind—he lived over again the past with its joys and sorrows, and even attempted to raise the veil of the future to see whether it held a gleam of Paradise; but this must all remain surmise and uncertainty, since it is not given to mortal vision to see beyond the present.
The night passed without an alarm.