such a bleak and piercing wind swept across the deck of the simoon that jim travers was glad to spend most of his time in the cabin, where a warm fire was always going.
the first day out the boy succeeded in picking up a few scraps of knowledge, which served rather to deepen than to clear up the mystery of his abduction.
the schooner was a good sailer, and was well furnished with coal, wood, water, and provisions, as if she were intended for a long voyage. there was no real cargo, as he could see; and the two men who managed the craft did not drop a word which could give any clew as to their destination.
it can scarcely be said that they treated the boy well or ill. their conduct was more of the character of indifference, since they paid not the least attention to him, further than to notify him to keep out of their way.
this indifference might be considered kindness, inasmuch as it relieved the boy from attempting work which would have proven of a perilous nature. this also relieved him in a great measure of the fear which made existence a burden during the first twenty-four hours.
on the third morning out from new york, jim made the discovery that the rising sun was on his right, from which it was certain he was sailing toward the north. other evidence led him to conclude, from his knowledge of geography, that they had entered delaware bay, and were approaching philadelphia.
"it's a queer way of getting back home again," was the reflection of the boy when convinced of the fact.
however, the simoon did not propose to visit the quaker city just then, and she came to anchor in a broad part of the bay, fully a half-mile from shore.
it was late in the afternoon that this stop was made; and just as night was closing in, a small boat containing two persons was discerned rowing out from land. when they were nigh enough to board the schooner, jim saw that one was mr. hornblower, and the other was a herculean negro, who was swaying the oars with the ease of a professional.
as both came on deck, the white man signified to the lad that he was to follow him into the cabin, where the door was shut, and they sat down facing each other.
"i might as well own that i deceived you when i pretended i wanted to hire a clerk," began hornblower, "but i had good reason for doing so; that reason i can't give for the present. now," and here mr. hornblower took a pencil and note-book from his pocket, "i want to know your full name and exact age."
these were truthfully given and carefully written down.
"now i want to know all about your parents, their age, your father's business, and various other matters which i shall ask you."
jim had no reason to decline any information he was able to give, and he furnished all his captor desired to know.
when the examination was finished, the note-book was closed, and mr. hornblower asked, in the most friendly of tones,--
"have they used you well?"
"they have," was the truthful reply.
"do you know why?"
"i suppose because you instructed them to do so."
"it's not that, but because you behaved yourself; you haven't made any trouble."
"i don't intend to do that, for there's nothing to gain by it. i haven't any work to do, and may as well stay here as anywhere else."
"remember what i told you; so long as you keep quiet you are safe, but only on those conditions."
as the man rose to go, jim plucked up enough courage to ask,--
"will you be kind enough to let me know where we are going, and why it is you make a prisoner of me?"
"since you have behaved so well i suppose i might as well do so."
hornblower opened his mouth to impart the information, when he changed his mind and shook his head.
"it is scarcely best at present; good-evening."
as there seemed to be no objection to following him on deck, jim did so, much disappointed that he did not secure the information which was almost his.
hornblower stepped down into a boat and rowed off toward shore, leaving the huge negro behind. it had become so dark that the boat, with its single occupant, speedily faded from view in the night, though the sound of the regularly swaying oars came back distinctly across the water until shore was reached.
jim was glad that the african, whom he heard addressed as sam, was left behind. he saw he was a good-natured fellow, and he believed he would be able to gain something from him.
after supper was eaten, the schooner hoisted anchor and moved several miles up the river, when it again lay to for the night.
jim travers went to bed again as much mystified as ever over the explanation of his imprisonment on board the boat. aside from this inscrutable ignorance there was nothing very unpleasant, and he would have been willing to make quite a lengthy stay, whether he received any wages or not.
during the bitter cold weather, any one situated as he was might be thankful if he could secure lodging for the winter.
"they needn't be so afraid of my running away," he often said to himself, "for i would not be so foolish as to do that when i don't know where to go. all that i wish is that they would give me the chance to send a letter to tom and let him know where i am. the poor fellow must be greatly worried over me."
he ventured to ask whether he would be permitted to send a letter ashore, but the refusal was given in such an angry manner that he regretted making it.
several days now followed, during which the schooner beat up and down delaware bay without making a landing.
one night the vessel was caught in such a terrific blow that she came within a hair of being driven on the jersey shore. the two men, however, were fine sailors, and assisted by the negro sam, who was also an expert, they safely rode through the gale.
in the course of a week they approached the wharves at philadelphia, where they were boarded by the proper officers. the latter seemed to find everything all right on board the schooner, and departed, apparently without noticing the boy standing near, who watched their motions with great interest.
the simoon lay at the wharf all night, which was unusually mild for that season of the year.
the cabin door was open and the negro was on duty, while one of the men was asleep in the hammock over jim's head.
the second sailor had gone up-town somewhere, and there was no telling when he would return.
the lad was nearly asleep, when he heard footsteps on deck; and in the dim light from the lamp he observed the missing sailor coming down the steps, followed closely by hornblower. when they were fairly within they shut the door, and the seaman turned up the wick of the lamp overhead.
a fancy struck jim at this moment that he would pretend he was unconscious, though he had little hope of gaining anything by it.
as soon as the light filled the apartment, hornblower looked over at the two forms stretched out in the hammocks, and asked in a whisper,--
"are they asleep?"
the sailor leaned over each in turn, and carefully surveyed the features and listened to the breathing.
"yes; they don't know any more than a couple of logs."
"i wouldn't have the boy overhear us for the world."
"there ain't any danger of that."
thus believing, the two men talked business straight along.
"it won't do to stay here any longer," said hornblower.
"why not?"
"because it's dangerous; you was such a fool yesterday as to allow the boy on deck when the officer was there, and he couldn't help noticing him."
"but they didn't speak to each other, and if the officer had suspected anything he would have showed it."
"maybe he would and maybe he wouldn't; you must know that the boy's photograph has been scattered over the country, and he is likely to be recognized by any countryman."
"how are you making out with the negotiations?"
"it all looks well enough, if you don't spoil it by your tomfoolery. i should not have been surprised to find you had allowed him to go ashore to look around a little. you must leave here to-morrow morning. you ought to start to-night."
"i can do so if you wish it," said the sailor, rather sulkily.
"it might draw suspicion to you. no, you can wait till daylight, and then be off."
"it shall be done."
"we have managed to throw everybody off the scent pretty well. they seem to have all sorts of theories except the right one. it has got into the newspapers, of course. some think the boy has been taken to england, others that he is in the south, and others have sworn that he has been seen in company with a man and woman in canada; but no one imagines as yet that he is on board the schooner simoon, in the delaware."
"how have you made out in your correspondence with the guardians?"
"they have agreed to give me ten thousand dollars if i restore the boy to them, and i have concluded to take it; but you understand, bob, that it's a mighty delicate matter to handle."
"i rather think it is," growled bob in reply; "for if they manage to handle us, we'll fetch up in state prison as sure as we live."
"we'd be glad to get there away from the mob," said hornblower; "for, the way people feel over this business, they would act like a lot of famished lions toward us."
"if they agree to give what you ask, why don't you turn over the chap to them and have done with the whole business? i'm getting tired of dodging about in this fashion, never knowing when they're going to drop down on us, and feeling as if the prison-door was open just ahead. it's got to be wound up pretty soon, or i'll step out and let you finish it yourself."
"have patience," said hornblower in a conciliatory voice; "it will all come right, for we've the game in our own hands."
"why the delay, then?"
"there's fear of the police; they mixed in, and they're bound to scoop us if they can, and cheat us out of the money."
"there's been a big reward offered by the guardians themselves?"
"yes. the officers have that as well as the glory of victory to urge them on, and they won't let a chance slip."
"have you put it to the guardians strong?"
"you'd better believe i have. i told them that at the first attempt they made to play us false, the boy would be sent home to them in a coffin. they understand that."
"then, why don't they play square?"
"they would if it wasn't for the detectives. but with the help of the parents i think we can pull through all straight."
"in how long a time?"
"two or three weeks. in the meantime go on south, and i'll keep track of you and let you know what to do."
with these parting directions the conversation ended. mr. hornblower produced a flask of whisky, the two drank each other's health, and the visitor departed.
shortly after bob, the sailor, turned in for the night.
