men of Driscoll's company crowded on the deck of the sloop talking
with the other scouts, the trim little _Arrow_ was making good speed
over the blue water. Billy and Alec walked restlessly up and down
the deck, their minds busy with thoughts of Hugh, for whom they felt
no little anxiety.

"Wonder what he's doing now?" said Alec.

"I'd give anything to know for sure that he's alive and safe!" was
Billy's rueful rejoinder. "I've heard all sorts of stories about
what rough-necks like those smugglers do to any one that butts in on
their game!"

"You don't believe they'd kill him?"

"No-o, hardly that. But they might----"

"The worst of it is," interrupted Alec, "we don't even know that he's
alive. He might have been drowned or-----"

"I won't believe that, Alec! I can't believe it!"

"But you said just now-----"

"I don't know what I said or what I meant!"

"Calm down, Billy, old scout! You're all upset."

"Who wouldn't be, I'd like to know?"