“We have seen that the Maud can’t do much in the way of sailing in such a heavy sea, and with the wind nearly ahead of her,” added Louis, taking comfort from the reflection. “That is very true, my lad; but the ocean is almost boundless, and it is very hard to find a vessel, even a slow sailer, on its vast expanse,” replied the captain. “I was an ensign in the navy during the last part of the Rebellion, and my ship was looking for months for the Alabama; but we did not find her. Scoble may not sail before morning, and we may get a steamer on his track by that time. But we can’t waste any more time in talking about the matter; let us move towards the town.” Captain Ringgold led the way, and Louis kept at his side. Bickling came up behind them. He had been forgotten in the excitement of the stirring event of the evening; and then, for the first time, the young man recalled the application of the cook to be taken in the boat with him. He called him to his side, for they were walking over a salt marsh which was dry enough at that stage of the tide, and there was room enough for all of them to march abreast. “Why did you desire to go in the boat with me, Bickling?” asked Louis, in opening his inquiry. “You have been very kind to me, sir, which I appreciate a good friend, sir, and I wanted to be of some service to you, which I am afraid it is too late now,” replied the cook. “Then, why didn’t you speak out before?” demanded the young man indignantly. “Which I couldn’t do it, sir, though I would gladly ’ave done it, sir,” protested the man, who even now seemed to be frightened about something, though he had no reason to fear his present companions. “Why couldn’t you do it? You had a tongue in your head!” added Louis very warmly, for it was clear to him that the cook knew something about the plot which had just been sprung upon them. “I ’ave to mind my own business, sir, and I can’t hafford to meddle with hother people’s haffairs, which it is just as plain to you, sir, as it is to me, sir, who am a poor man,” replied Bickling. “I tried to do something for you, sir, but I failed.” Louis thought that he was perhaps unjust to the poor man, and softened his manner. CHAPTER XX IN PURSUIT OF THE MAUD Louis Belgrave recalled the circumstances under which Bickling had applied to him for permission to go in the boat with the exploring expedition. He had asked to be taken with the young man, saying that he could be of service to him. Before he could say anything more the mate came on deck, and the cook seemed to be in mortal terror of him, for he had noticed the fright of the fellow at the moment. It did not occur to Louis at the time that anything could be wrong in the arrangements for visiting the shore; but he realized now that the cook had discovered some signs of treachery on the part of Frinks; but his fears prevented him from uttering a word.