nious a meeting, and their owners were somewhat
solemnized at being treated like grown-up gentlemen. But a fierce look
of suspicion still lingered in Aleck's face, and I doubt not a glow of
anger and excitement in mine, which showed that Groves's peacemaking had
not been thoroughly effectual--we _felt_ still as we had _spoken_
before.

CHAPTER VII.

THE MISSING SHIP.

In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our
sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea. The wind
being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly
over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the
Cove.

George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction;
whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to
discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock
the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long
anticipated holiday. Aleck and I were almost entirely silent. When we
spoke, it was to Ralph, or George, as convenient third parties; not a
word would we say to each other.

Old George did his best, with clumsy kindness, to make lively remarks
from time to time; but the responsive laugh was wanting; and, after
experiencing two or three signal failures, he struck his colours and
yielded to the spell that had fallen upon us.

The whole Braycombe coast for many miles is deeply indented with creeks
and coves, and diversified with outstanding rocks and promontories,
about the most picturesque and the most dangerous part of our southern
shores. Old George decided that probably the object of our search had
been driven in by the fitful wind amongst some of the near rocks and
creeks, and might, perhaps, be recovered by a careful search. So, warily
steered by our experienced sailor, we set ourselves to the work, having
scanned, to the best of our ability, the open sea beyond with a pocket
telescope.

What with the tackings frequently necessary, and the taking down sail in
one place, and then putting it up in another, the time passed on
rapidly; and we were quite surprised, as we finished the exploration of
one of the little inlets, to hear Groves remark that it was "nigh upon
two o'clock, and that we'd all be the better of a little food." For the
first time in our lives we had forgotten to be hungry.

It was decided that we should spr