The yellow and black funnel of the Sterling Castle was conspicuous only by its absence.
One chance remained—that the steamer had changed her anchorage.
He hurriedly completed his toilet and rushed on deck.
A sweeping glance around told the story, for the blockade runner was no longer in the harbor.
Captain Beven saluted from a point forward and beckoned him to approach.
"Looking for the steamer—left port an hour or more before crack of dawn—yonder she goes, headed straight for the Antilles."
Following the captain's extended finger Roderic saw the smoke of a steamer hanging on the horizon. Somehow his heart gave a leap after it, for the girl he adored was aboard the vanishing craft.
"When do we follow, captain?" he asked, composedly.
"Within six hours at the latest," was the reply and when that time had expired they too were moving over the trackless Atlantic headed due south west.