At the same moment Captain Ringgold appeared at the opening with Felix, for they had heard the noise made in getting to them. Louis could hear a heavy pounding and rattling on deck, with the voice of Scoble rising above it, and he concluded that the captain was attending to the reefing himself of the mainsail. He was therefore so far aft that he was not likely to hear anything at the main hatch. “Arrah, Louis, me darlint, is it you?” asked Felix. “What are ye givin’ us?” “I’m giving you your liberty,” replied Louis in a low tone. “Don’t speak out too loud.” “It’s a good thing ye’re givin’ us. I had nearly broke me bachk in thinkin’ they moight have kilt ye, me darlint.” “Not yet, Flix; and I shall not be the first one to drop, if it comes to that,” replied Louis cheerfully. “I hope you have not suffered much, Captain Ringgold.” “Suffered? Oh, no, I have not suffered at all; for I found a pile of old bagging, or something of that sort, and I have been asleep most of the time for the want of something better to do,” replied the retired shipmaster in a pleasant voice, evidently taking his cue from his companions. “But I should very much like to know what all this means.” “I think you had better come out of the hold before we have any more talk,” answered Louis, as he extended his hand to assist the captain. “Thank you; I don’t need any assistance,” added the shipmaster, as he mounted to the lower deck by the aid of the notched stanchion which supported the forward deck-beam, Felix following him in the same manner. “Now come with me, and we shall soon be in a place of safety,” said Louis, as he led his friends aft, feeling that their captivity could not last much longer. “Faix, the darkness is broighter than the loight down here,” said Felix, as they groped their way through the gloomy passage; for their leader had put out the lantern, fearful that it might be seen through the skylight in the steerage. “You shall have more light in a minute; and don’t let the darkness dazzle your eyes, Felix,” added Louis. The conductor soon reached the door of the second cabin, which he had decided to make the headquarters of the party for the present. He threw it wide open, and the light from the apartment pervaded the dark gangway. Leading the way into the steerage, he closed the door as soon as his companions had both entered. “I think we shall be comfortable here for a while,” said Louis, as he seated himself on one of the benches under the berths that surrounded the apartment. “Sit down, Captain Ringgold, and make yourself at home if you can.” “Faix, a man that was raised in a bog couldn’t ask for onything better nor this,” added Felix, as he took a seat by the side of Louis, while the captain was on the other side of him.