d up towards a house that was not far off, and
accosted some men who were standing there. On hearing his question,
they were silent for a few moments; and at last one of them recollected
seeing an aged colored man passing by early in the morning. He had a
basket on his arm, and in every way corresponded to the description of
Solomon. He was on his way up the shore.

"Did he go down to the pint," asked Captain Corbet, "or up to the top
of the cliff?"

The man couldn't say for certain; but as far as he could recollect, it
seemed to him that he went down to the pint.

"About what time?"

"Between eight and nine o'clock--in fact, about eight--not much later."

"Did he speak to any one here?"

"No; he walked past without stoppin. An do you say he ain't got back?"

"Not yet."

"Wal," said the man, "for an old feller, an a feller what don't know
the country hereabouts, he's gone on a dangerous journey; an ef he's
tried to get back, he's found it a pooty hard road to travel."

"Isn't there any chance of his gettin back by the cliff?"

"Not with the water risin onto his path."

"Is there any way of gettin up to the top of the cliff?"

"Wal, fur a active young feller it wouldn't be hard, but for a pore old
critter like that thar, it couldn't be done--no how."

"Wal, boys," said Captain Corbet, sorrowfully, "I guess we'd better get
on, an not lose any more time."

They walked away in silence for some time, until at last they reached
the foot of the cliff. A path here ran up in a winding direction so as
to reach the top.

"It seems too bad," said Captain Corbet, "not to be able to get to the
beach. I wish I'd come in the boat. What a fool I was not to think of
it!"

"O, I dare say the top of the cliff will do," said Bruce.

"Wal, it'll have to do. At any rate I've got the kile of rope."

"We shall be able to see him from the top just as well, and perhaps
better."

"Wal, I hope so; but we'll be a leetle too far above him for my
fancy,--ony we can use the rope, I s'pose. Can any of you youngsters
climb?"

"O, yes," said Bart, "all of us."

"What kind of heads have you got--stiddy?"

"Yes, good enough," said Bruce. "I'll engage to go anywhere that I can
find a foothold; and here's Bart, that'll go certainly as far, and
perhaps farther. And here's Phil, that can do his share. As for Pat,
he can beat us all; he can travel like a fly, upside down, or in any
direction."

"Wal, I'm glad to hear th