s and winds I am more
disposed to believe that they have been carried off toward the southeast
corner of the island. The land runs out there, and, granted any decent
kind of luck, the boys probably made a landing--if they could keep
afloat so far."

"But what may have happened to them before this?" began Mr. Hazlett.

"Tut, man! We've all got to take our chances," replied the old sea-dog.
"They've done their best, and we must do our best, too."

Week after week, hour after hour, and, as it seemed, almost inch by
inch, the cutter crawled on around the wild coast of Kadiak, tapping
each arm and inlet, literally combing out the full extent of the broken
shore-line. So gradually they passed below the southern extremity of the
island, worked up from the southeast, and one day came to anchor not far
from the native settlement known as Old Harbor. Here a breakdown to
their machinery kept them waiting for ten days. Meantime, the boat
crews were out at their work. One day a young lieutenant came in and
with some excitement asked to see the captain.

"I have to report, sir, that I think we've got word of those boys!" he
said, eagerly, as he saluted.

"How's that? Where? Go on, sir!"

"There's a big boat party back from Kaludiak Bay, sir. They were in
there on a whale-hunt several weeks ago. They saw a camp with three
white boys and one refugee Aleut."

"Arrest every man Jack of them and bring them in!" roared Captain
Stephens.

"Already done that, sir!" reported the lieutenant. "They are in the
long-boat alongside."

"Then bring them here at once!"

A few moments later he and Mr. Hazlett found the deck crowded with a
score of much-frightened natives.

"Who's the interpreter here?" commanded the captain.

A squaw-man who for some years had lived with the natives was pushed
forward. He was none too happy himself, for he expected nothing better
than intimate questions regarding certain wrecking operations which for
years past had gone on along this part of the coast.

"Now tell me," began Captain Stephens, "what do you know about those
boys over there? Why didn't these people bring out word to the
settlement? What are you looking for here? Do you want me to blow your
village off the rocks? Come, now, speak up, my good fellow, or you'll
mighty well wish you had!"

Suddenly Mr. Hazlett uttered an exclamation and sprang toward one of the
natives who carried a rifle in his hand.

"That gun belonged to Jesse, the son