a boat left
that would swim, or, as we believed, that could be made to swim without
a couple of hours' work being done upon her. Then I turned my gaze
toward the brig; for I argued that since their cries reached us quite
distinctly, they must also reach the brig, and if anyone had been left
aboard her those cries would soon create an alarm, and we might expect
to see some movement on board her. But we saw nothing, the craft
maintained the appearance of being absolutely deserted, and five minutes
later we stole up alongside and quietly scrambled aboard her by way of
the main chains.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

HOW THE ADVENTURE ENDED.

As I dropped in over the rail and alighted upon the deck, I flung a
quick glance along it, fore and aft, in search of some trace of
occupation, but there was nothing to indicate that anyone had been left
on board. I stole forward and listened intently at the fore scuttle,
but there was no sound of movement down in the forecastle, nor could I
catch any suggestion of deep breathing or snoring, as would probably
have been the case had an anchor-watch been left on board, and, ignoring
its responsibilities, gone below and turned in. But, determined to make
quite sure, I swung my legs over the coaming and quietly dropped down
into the close, pungent-smelling place. For a moment I could see
nothing, for the only light entering the forecastle came down through
the hatch, and my eyes were dazzled with the brilliant light of the
outer world; but presently my sight came to me and I saw that all the
bunks and hammocks were empty, and that the apartment contained nothing
more dangerous than a heterogeneous assortment of clothes, boots,
oilskins, and other articles common to seamen. I therefore made my way
on deck again and ran aft, where I encountered Fonseca just emerging
from the cabin, where he, like myself, had been on an exploring
expedition, which, like mine, had proved fruitless. As we met and
exchanged news my eyes wandered away shoreward, and I noticed that Juan
and his companions had reached the wharf, and seemed to be busying
themselves about one of the upturned boats which I had taken the
precaution to stave. Upon getting the ship's glass I had no difficulty
in discovering that they were busily engaged in an attempt to patch up
and make her serviceable, with the evident intention of coming in
pursuit of us.

"By Jove, Fonseca," I exclaimed, "we must bestir ourselves or those
fellow