only the wind, which apparently shifted in gusts, and I could merely
hold the leaping craft in the course I deemed safest. I doubt if the
eye penetrated twenty feet beyond the boat's rail, but we raced through
the smother in a way that gave me a certain thrill of exultation. At
least we were clear of the _Sea Gull_, and safe enough, unless a storm
arose. With the return of daylight a course could be set for the
coast, which would n't be far away. So I stared into the darkness, and
waited, scarcely bold enough to break the silence.

CHAPTER XXXII

A TALK IN THE NIGHT

I wondered what awaited us ahead in that black mystery of waters; had
they discovered yet our absence on board the _Sea Gull_? If so, what
would Henley do? Knowing that I had rifled his desk, his one thought
upon release would naturally be the recovery of the papers. Besides,
smarting from his bonds, and thirsting for revenge, he would never
permit the vessel to depart from these waters without an effort to
overtake us. Private vengeance would outweigh all other
considerations. God pity us if we ever fell into his clutches again.
And there would be no doubt as to the manner of our escape--the trail
left was a plain one. I could imagine the scene on board when the
discovery of our escape was first made--the search for the missing
mate, the discovery of the loss of the boat, the dangling ropes proving
how it had been lowered. Then would follow an excited investigation
below, revealing the steward locked into his pantry, and the raging
captain tied and gagged in his berth. I could not forbear laughing to
myself at the picture, and yet never was insensible to the danger still
confronting us.

There was in my mind, now I had leisure to consider, no doubt as to
what those on board that vessel would do. They would realize we were
somewhat astern, and, in the hope of sighting us at daylight, would
cruise back and forth in those immediate waters. Any moment the _Sea
Gull's_ sharp prow might loom up out of the black wall. As she carried
no lights there would be no warning. It occurred to me that they would
be more apt to take a course well in toward shore, anticipating I would
endeavor to reach the protection of the coast under cover of darkness.
Someone would discover the loss of the tell-tale compass, which would
naturally confirm that suspicion. Convinced of this I steered more to
the eastward, feeling of the face of the compass again t