Felix was still fast asleep on one divan near the door of Mrs. Belgrave’s room, and Bickling was apparently in the same condition on the one just forward of the stateroom in which Scoble was confined. If Louis had hurried his steps he might have seen Frinks leap hastily into the berth next aft the prison room. By the time the young man reached a point abreast of the late captain’s wooden cell, the mate had buried himself in the bedclothes of the berth abaft the cell, and was snoring like a trooper, so that Louis could have no doubt from the sounds that reached his ears as he passed that the occupant of the bunk was sound asleep. In fact, it appeared to be a very sleepy time in the cabin, though appearances are sometimes very deceitful. When Louis returned to the deck he found the captain heaving a hand lead in the waist of the vessel; and he had done it before at the bow and stern. The messenger to the cabin reported upon the state of things there, and it was entirely satisfactory to the shipmaster. “It is about eleven o’clock, Louis, and the tide has made about two feet since we anchored here. It is about time for us to get off on the exploring expedition,” said Captain Ringgold as Louis joined him. “You have not said yet who is going in the boat, captain. Do we take any one of the Maud’s crew except the mate?” asked the young man. “The mate and I can pull the boat, and you can look out ahead, though I do not object to another, provided it is not Felix, who must keep guard over your mother,” replied the captain, as he led the way to the cabin to call the mate. On the stairs they encountered Bickling, who put his hand on Louis’s shoulder in a rather mysterious manner, and led him to the deck again, while the captain continued on his way down the stairs. “You are going away in the boat,” said he, as he halted near the companion. “Will you take me with you? I can be of service to you.” The cook seemed to be in mortal terror of something, and the hand he laid upon Louis’s shoulder trembled, and his manner was very strange. “Why do you wish to go in the boat, Bickling?” asked Louis. “Which it is very kind you ’ave been to me, and”-- At that moment Frinks rushed upon deck from the companion-way, closely followed by Captain Ringgold. “I hope I have not delayed the expedition; but I was tired and dropped asleep in my berth, and lost all idea of what was going on,” said the mate, as the captain joined him. The cook could not say another word, so terrified was he at the appearance of Frinks, or rather when he heard his voice near him, for he could not see him in the darkness. The two men forward were ordered to bring the boat up to the gangway; and when the mate discovered the cook, he told him to assist them. In a few moments the boat was ready for use. Frinks seemed to be in a great hurry, and got into it at once. “I should like to have Bickling go with us, captain,” said Louis, as the shipmaster was about to follow the mate.