“Have you noticed that?” observed the captain. “Ye have a good eye, lad, and a quick mind. I was just thinking the same thing myself. I wouldn’t wonder if she was doing some contraband trade down the coast. I see she is going out, soon.”
“How do you know?” asked Jo.
“She is getting steam up.”
“So is the Sea Eagle,” exclaimed Tom. “They have started their fires. She must be going out, too.”
“Looks like it,” put in Jo. “There is Broome now, with some of his men.”
Pulling along close under the stern of the Marjorie, there was seen a small boat in which was Captain Broome with his chief subordinates.
“See anything of Manuel in their boat?” asked Jo.
“No,” replied Tom. “He isn’t in the boat. They must have left him behind.”
“He must have been drowned,” said Jo.
“I don’t know about that,” replied Tom, “but it is certain he isn’t in the boat; there are four men besides the captain and on top of their other baggage is a big hamper.”