nd ventured up the companion stairs. Reaching the top, and
stealing to one side out of the dim range light, I took hasty survey of
the deck. It was a dark night, although a few stars were visible, and
the _Sea Gull_ was steaming slowly through a fairly rough sea, pounding
against her port quarter. Little twinkles of light were visible off
the port side, so numerous as to make me suspicion land, while a narrow
strip of moon, barely exposed beneath an edge of cloud, convinced me
our course was almost directly east. This was strange if the boat's
destination was Spanish Honduras, and the Captain was, as he contended,
desirous of making a swift passage. I recall this flash of thought,
yet my attention almost instantly reverted elsewhere. The closer we
hugged the shore the greater the opportunity for escape, the more vital
the necessity of immediately establishing communication with the fair
prisoner below.

A glance sufficed to convince that I was alone, and unobserved. The
deck was unobstructed aft, except for a small boat swung to davits
astern, and the cabin transoms. These last were elevated some three
feet, but considerable space separated from the rail. I slipped into
this opening on the port side, crouching in the dense shadow, until
again assured I was alone. My position afforded as good a view forward
as the darkness would permit, and likewise enabled me to see into the
dimly lit cabin below. The fact that Henley--for whatever his name
might be, this was the one to which he laid claim--had not left his
stateroom, or made any effort to observe my movements, was a decided
encouragement. Beyond all question he believed me safely in his grasp,
and his promise of liberty on board was being substantiated. I was not
to be watched, or spied upon. For the first time I began to feel a
true sense of freedom.

The deck forward of the main mast was too dark for observation,
although I was certain of a group of men gathered in the waist to
leeward. Occasionally the sound of a voice was blown back, and I could
perceive the dull, red glow of a pipe or two. The main body of the
watch these would be, and even as I stared at the lumping shadow, a
command was roared from the bridge, and two shapeless figures detached
themselves from the mass, and ran forward. The bridge itself was
partially outlined against the lighter sky, giving me a vague glimpse
of two figures, one standing motionless, as though gripping the rail