With the feeling of wonder and amazement growing upon them, they examined every corner of the ship from deck to hold, but found no sign of living creature, nor any clue to the profound mystery. Cold shivers began to run up and down their spines.
"What on earth or sea," said the irrepressible Tom, voicing the inmost thought of every mind, "could have driven a company of men to abandon a ship in such perfect condition as this schooner is?" and again all stood silent in a last effort to solve the problem.
"Well," said Mr. Collins, "we have made a most thorough search and nothing can be gained by remaining here longer." So, only waiting to procure the ship's log that he had laid upon the table, he led the way to the deck. With a last look about them, in the vain hope of finding some living creature, they clambered into the boat and rowed back to the _Fearless_.
On the way over, everyone was too oppressed for further conversation, but as they neared the _Fearless_ their faces brightened; and as they stood once more upon her decks, with the eager people crowding about them, it seemed good, after the desolation they had witnessed, to be on board a live ship once more.
"This is surely a most wonderful and mysterious thing," said the captain, after listening to their report. "What could have driven them to such a desperate measure as abandoning a ship in sound condition and so well provisioned? Was it mutiny?"
"No, sir," and the mate shook his head. "I thought of that and we searched the ship for any signs of a struggle or bloodshed; but there was no evidence of fighting nor a drop of blood anywhere."
"Was there, perhaps, a leak?" again suggested the captain.
"Not that we could find," Dick answered. "The ship seemed as tight and safe as could be. We are sure there is no leak."
"What do you think about it?" asked Captain Manning, turning to a very grave and thoughtful gentleman standing near. This was Captain Grant who the day before had so nobly stood by his ill-fated ship and to whose rescue and that of his unfortunate passengers the _Fearless_ had come with not a minute to spare. Captain Manning had found him very congenial, and in the few hours since he had come on board the two gentlemen had become firm friends. At Captain Manning's question he turned to him cordially and answered with a smile: