"Can't live on hope, master. Hope's on'y the salt as makes the rest o'
life tasty. Want zome'at else as well. But don't you be down. We've
got to get away, and we'll do it afore we've done."

"Then you found out nothing?"

"Oh yes, I did," said Pete dryly. "I found out that it didn't matter
which way I went there waren't what I wanted."

"You mean the boat?"

"That's right, master. I went as far as I could get along the river one
way, and it waren't there; and I went as far as I could get t'other way,
and it waren't there. Old Zam must get in and paddle it right away
zomewheres. There now, if I haven't found it after all!"

"What! Where it is hidden?"

"I believe I have; zeemed to turn it over and find it under this here
clod I'm breaking up with the hoe. Wish I'd looked when we was aboard."

"Looked at what?"

"Her bottom. She's got a big bung-hole in her zomewhere, and he must
pole her along into a deep part, and take the bung out, and let her fill
and zink. Then he zinks the painter with a stone."

"But she wouldn't sink, Pete."

"Oh yes, she would, with ballast enough, sir; and all we've got to do
now is to find out where she is."

Nic shook his head sadly, for he was not convinced.

"Don't you do that, my lad; that's not the way to get home. Maybe I'm
wrong, but I think I'm right, and I dare zay, if we knowed where to
look, she's just close handy zomewhere. Zay, Master Nic, s'pose I get
old Zamson down and kneel on his chest, and pull out my knife. I could
show my teeth and look savage, and pretend I was going to cut his head
off if he didn't tell me. That would make him speak--eh?"

"Yes, to Saunders; and you would be punished, and we should be worse off
than ever."

"That's about it, sir. I'm afraid I did no good last night."

Pete chopped and broke clods, and muttered to himself in a way which
suggested that he was by no means satisfied with his investigations.
Then all at once he said:

"What do you zay to our going quietly down to the water some night,
dropping in, and zwimming for it?"

"Into the jaws of the great alligators, Pete?"

"Didn't think o' that. Could hear 'em, too, as I walked along. One
whacker went off from just under my feet once. I 'most fell over him,
and he roared out like a bull calf. I thought he meant my legs. No, we
couldn't do that, Master Nic. We must get hold o' that boat. I'll have
another try to-night."

"Better not," said Nic. "Some