ke a steam engine, an' when
he got half way around he was clean ahead o' the bunch. But by the time
he reached the home-stretch, he was a swettin' like a mad bull an'
puffin' like a grampus--an' every other hoss got in fust. Here I am now,
kissed by ten o' the prettiest gals in Beaufort jest as the sun is
a-settin' on my first day o' new manhood. I'm startin' too almighty
fast. If I don't tame down I'll lose out on the home-stretch. I opine
Sara didn't like the idea o' that kissin' business. I was particular to
hold my face straight out where she could see it an' not let my lips
tech nary one o' 'em. But I guess it would be safer to go down an' tell
Sara how partic'lar I was, an' how I wanted to tell 'em to stop, but
didn't dar'st not to be polite."

As Captain Ichabod lay in his bunk before falling asleep, he allowed his
mind to dwell upon more serious things. He thought of the wireless
message. What had become of the strange man, of the woman, and of his
rooster, Shrimp? He wondered that there were no reports of their passing
other boats. His heart was sore for that poor woman who had lain so long
unconscious upon his bed. His interest in her was vital, for he had
saved her life. What could the man mean by thus secretly hurrying away?
Ichabod had asked himself this question many times. Now he knew beyond
peradventure of doubt that the fellow was a criminal, a refugee from
justice, with a young woman of gentle birth in his power.

Ichabod's conscience smote him. He was ashamed that he had not
instituted a search immediately after the fellow's disappearance from
the Island. He had had the right to call on the Sheriff of the county
for aid. There had been plain theft. A pair of blankets had been stolen
from him--as also his chanticleer.

The monetary loss from this robbery meant nothing to the fisherman, but
it would have served as an excuse for arresting the man, and thus
rescuing his girl victim.... Ichabod remembered the man chained to the
engine in the sunken yacht. It was doubtless this murderer who now had
the girl in his power. Should it suit his ends, would that desperate man
hesitate to murder even the girl herself--the girl he had saved from
drowning? Ichabod decided that he would fulfill a belated duty by going
to town next day, there to swear out a warrant of arrest against the
abductor of the girl, that thus the Sheriff should have reason to search
the waters of the Sound in the hope of arresting the guilt