“Bangs, conduct this man and the mate of the schooner to the after cabin,” added Captain Ringgold. “If he or the other makes any trouble, lock them into the two staterooms. Williams will go with you, and both of you will remain on watch in the cabin. If either of them is turbulent, report it to me.” The two seamen who had proved themselves to be brave fellows in the first cutter obeyed the order, and neither Scoble nor Frinks deemed it prudent to resist it, especially as the captain of the schooner had already been knocked down by Bangs. The two seamen and Kimpton were taken to the forecastle and treated with the utmost kindness by the officers and sailors. “That is a very obstinate and wicked man, Mr. Belgrave,” said the captain. “I have no doubt he will make it hot for me if he gets a chance. But I must go down into the cabin to see my mother. I wish you could come with me, captain,” said Louis, when Scoble had disappeared at the gangway of the after cabin. “It is not prudent to attempt to get into the port of St. George with the weather as it is now, and we may not get in before to-morrow. I have given the order to stand to the eastward and southward,” answered the captain. “This is not a very heavy gale; and, though it is lumpy, we are all right, and I will join you in the cabin in a few minutes.” CHAPTER XXXVII JOHN SCOBLE’S ANTECEDENTS When Louis went into the cabin, he found his mother, Mrs. Blossom, and Felix seated on a divan which surrounded the mainmast. Mrs. Belgrave extended her hand and drew her son to a place by her side, embracing him again as she had when she first saw him. Her first question was in regard to Scoble, and she was informed that he was on board of the steamer. “Sparks,” called the owner; and when the steward appeared, he inquired if the door leading from the main to the after cabin had a lock and key. “There is a lock, but there is no key in the door, sir,” replied the steward. “But I have the key to the lock, Mr. Belgrave,” interposed the chief steward, who happened to be within hearing. “Will you please to lock that door, and keep it locked all the time, Mr. Sage?” added Louis. “What is that for, my son?” asked Mrs. Belgrave, scenting some danger she could not discern. “John Scoble and Frinks are in the after cabin, into which that door opens; but they are confined to their staterooms, with two seamen on guard over them. You are in no danger whatever, my dear mother,” replied Louis, pressing the hand, he held to reassure her. “I am not afraid, Louis; I am not as timid as I used to be. But everything here astonishes me, my son. You order these people about as though you were perfectly at home here,” continued Mrs. Belgrave.