“I told you so,” said Bass. “I was sure he meant us mischief.”
“I am very sure that Mr Hart will make every effort to obtain our release,” observed Harry. “So will old Tom; and I should think the captain would scarcely venture to detain him.”
In a short time they heard the anchor let go, and they knew that the ship had entered the harbour. They waited in the hope that Mr Hart would discover where they were and come at least to speak to them, but night came on and they were left alone. They had to coil themselves up and go to sleep.
Next morning the first mate opened the door and put in some breakfast, saying that it would be worse for them if they made any noise.
Several days passed by and they were thus kept in durance. They heard at different times voices in the cabin; but not knowing who the speakers were, they were afraid of crying out. At last they knew by the movements of the ship that she was once more under way; and shortly afterwards the mate came to the door and told them that they might go on deck to attend to their duty. Greatly to their satisfaction, they saw old Tom. He made a sign to them not to speak to him and turned away.
They waited till it was dark. He then came up to them as they were standing together.
“I discovered that the captain had shut you up,” he said; “and I did all I could to get him to allow you to go on shore, but he said that he had a right to detain you, and I of course would not leave the ship without you. We must therefore watch for an opportunity of getting on shore at some place where English authority is established, and we can make complaints of the way you have been treated.”
“I would rather land among savages than remain on board,” said Harry.
“And so would I,” exclaimed Bass. “And if you will come with us we will try to escape at the first place we touch at.”
“We must learn what sort of a place it is first,” said old Tom, “or we may be worse off than we are on board.”