, strolled out on deck. There was evidently no hope that the
woman would be released at present, and I could formulate no plan of
communicating with her, but I was no less anxious to view our
surroundings.

I found the after-deck entirely deserted, and there was no one visible
on the bridge. Two or three sailors--the anchor watch--were forward,
engaged in some service about the capstan, and a fellow was swabbing
the deck amidship. I heard Broussard's voice at a distance, but could
not locate him. However, no one paid the slightest attention to me, as
I stood smoking, and gazing curiously around. Everything appeared
peaceful enough. We were lying in a small harbor, within a hundred
feet of the shore, completely concealed on the sea side, by a thick
forest growth lining the higher ridge, of what appeared a narrow
island. The _Sea Gull's_ fires were banked, only a thin vapor arising
from the stack which instantly disappeared. In the opposite direction
there was a wide expanse of water, quiet as a mill-pond in spite of a
fresh breeze, revealing in the distance the faint blue blur of a
far-off coast line. Nothing broke the vista except the white sails of
two sloops, evidently fishing boats, far off on the horizon. It was an
ideal spot in which to lie--to quietly hide in during the hours of
daylight, probably never approached but by stray fishermen. Ashore
everything appeared primitive and uninhabited, except for one of the
_Sea Gull's_ small boats beached directly opposite, the crew hidden in
the brush.

I walked leisurely around the cabin transom, peering into the boat
swung astern, so as to better familiarize myself with its equipment,
meanwhile keeping a wary eye on the cabin below, where the negro was
clearing the table, and then, satisfied I had everything photographed
upon the mind, sauntered forward toward the bridge, aiming to exchange
greetings with the Creole mate. Broussard was not a man to expect
favors from, and I had hated him with the first glimpse of his face,
yet he possessed his racial characteristic of impulsive speech, and was
thus far more approachable than the gruff German first officer.
Perhaps, if he believed me an accomplice, he might be led to talk, and
even be induced to let drop some hint which would later prove useful.
I met him just forward of the chart-house, and the manner in which he
eyed me was immediate proof that he remained uninformed as to my new
status on board.

"How yo