“O, but railly, now--now--railly, capting,” said Corbet, with great earnestness, “I do assure you, honest and honor bright, there ain’t no difficulty about the boys. They’re all rail happy--tip-top, an no mistake; as lively as crickets; lots to eat an drink, comfortable beds, good cookery--all in good spirits and a enjyin of themselves in a way that would do your heart good to see.” “Well--but where are they?” persisted Ferguson. “Wal--now--railly--you know,” said Captain Corbet, “it’s a kine o’ secret--an I’d very much rather not tell--that is--not _jest_ now; now railly--don’t ask me.” Ferguson looked at him for a few moments with the same scrutinizing look that he had already turned upon him. “Where are you going now?” he asked at length; “back to the boys?” “Wal--not _jest_ yet,” answered Corbet, after a pause. “The fact is, I was thinkin a little of takin a turn over Miramichi way--on business. I won’t belong, and they’ll be all right till I get back from Miramichi.” “O, the boys’ll have to wait for you, in the place where they now are, till you get back from Miramichi--so that’s it.” Ferguson spoke these words slowly and deliberately, with his eyes fixed on Captain Corbet. The latter looked somewhat uncomfortable, and for a while said nothing; but at length he murmured,-- “Wal--I s’pose--that’s--about--it.” X. _The Baffled Inquisitor.--Corbet’s Flight by Night.--Dead Beckoning.--His Purpose accomplished.--Once more an unwelcome Visitor.--The warning Words.--Corbet confident.--“Right straight back”--The stormy Water.--The gloomy Night and the gloomier Day.--Where is the Petrel?--Despair of Corbet._ FINDING that Captain Corbet was obstinate in his refusal to tell him about the boys, Ferguson at length desisted from his inquiries, and departed from the Antelope, much to the relief of the commander of that vessel. But, though he had left the Antelope, he had by no means given up his investigations into the cause of her present voyage. He at once rowed to the shore, with the intention of finding out from the people there what had been Corbet’s business among them. This he had no difficulty whatever in finding out. Corbet had come there with only one purpose, and this he had made known to every one with whom he came in contact, as best he could. He had picked up a man who spoke English, and this man had accompanied him in his rounds as interpreter. This very man fell into Ferguson’s way, and from him Ferguson was able to learn that Captain Corbet’s sole aim in visiting the Magdalen Islands was to obtain some sails. He learned that the sails, could not be obtained, and also that they had recommended him to go to Miramichi for them. By this he understood the reason why Captain Corbet was going to that place.