“I thought you would go directly up to New York, where we could hand Scoble over to the police at once,” added Louis. “That is just what I would do if it were possible; but the wind is now blowing a smart gale. It is likely to be a great deal worse before it is any better. You see, after we made The Narrows, it would be a dead beat to windward for about ten miles, and we never could do it in the world in this old tub.” “I understand now.” “It occurs to me, Louis, that it is about suppertime; and we had better attend to that matter before dark,” suggested Captain Ringgold. “I see that Bickling is in the galley; I have been keeping an eye on him, for I did not know but he might take it into his head to let Scoble out of his prison, and take off his bracelets,” replied Louis. “I will tell him to get supper at once;” and he made his way to the galley. The cook was ready to attend to his duties, and he promised to “’ave some ’am and heggs” ready in a very short time. Louis went below, and after listening at the door of Scoble’s prison, hearing nothing to excite alarm, he knocked at the door of his mother’s room. “I am so glad to see you!” exclaimed Mrs. Belgrave when she saw her son. “Have you been hurt?” “No, mother; no one has been hurt, and we are in full possession of the vessel, which is now headed back to the place from which we started this forenoon,” replied Louis, after his mother had embraced him. “We are all right now, and you have nothing whatever to fear. We may have to stay all night on board of the vessel; but you can sleep very well in your berth, and some of us will keep watch all night.” “I do hope we shall get home without any more trouble. I shall not sleep a wink on board of this vessel, and I wish there was some way to get ashore,” added Mrs. Belgrave. “Perhaps there will be; we will see when we get into the bay, where we shall have smooth water. But how do you feel, mother?” “Very well indeed. I should like a cup of tea and some toast, if I could get them.” “We are going to have supper pretty soon, and I want you to eat all you can, for it will do you good.” Bickling was already setting the table in the cabin, and putting on the “fiddles,” which the motion of the vessel rendered necessary, for the dishes would hardly have stayed on the table. In less than half an hour the meal was ready, with tea and toast in addition to the heavier fare the cook had promised to provide. Louis seated his mother, and then went on deck to call Captain Ringgold, who summoned the mate to take the helm, though Felix was left to keep watch of him and the men. The Milesian stationed himself at the companion-way, where he could call the captain and Louis if anything went wrong; and he kept one hand on the revolver in his right hip-pocket, perhaps rather anxious for an opportunity to use it.