kilt him, fer five minutes later I hear the outdoor lock. I heard it plain as I hears you now. Then, hyuh I set all this time a-sufferin' what I I ain't suffered befo' and, with that howlin' wind in my years, a-killin' my brain to know what war happenin' on them wicked shoals. Ain't no signal of distress been seen?"
"Best easy, Cap'n," assured Turner. "No ship's in trouble." So saying, the speaker made a warning sign to the rest of the group.
More questions were put by various members of the group, but no more definite information could be extracted. Then it was voted that the time for action had come. Several went upstairs to inspect the damage; others by the light of their lanterns examined the immediate neighborhood for footprints or other evidence of the criminal.
Turner and Jimmy joined first one and then another of the exploring parties; but it was soon evident that in the darkness nothing was to be expected, so man and boy decided the wiser course was to remain quietly with the Cap'n till the first sign of dawn.
