“About how long was it after you left the quarter-deck until the explosion took place?”
“It wasn’t five minutes, sir. I was going forward to the fo’k’sl deck to see that everything was all right, when, happening to look in the port door of the fo’k’sl, I noticed the light was out. I stepped in to see whether the lantern was empty or not, but found it gone. Then—”
“You found the lantern gone!” exclaimed the captain, an idea striking him. “Did you notice whether Dick Lewis was gone, too?”
“Dick Lewis? No, sir; why should I? It was his watch below, and he was probably in his bunk.”
“We shall see. Come with me to the main deck.”
All hands were assembled around the capstan in various degrees of astonishment. Several of that motley crew had probably been shipwrecked during various stages of their careers, but it may be doubted whether any had ever witnessed an accident similar to that which had just taken place.
“Dick Lewis, step forward!”
The captain’s stern command produced a sensation, and all hands wondered what was coming next.
“Dick Lewis, step forward!”
The words were repeated, but no response came from among the crowd of men standing about in the raw morning air.