"Naturally we won't hear anything on this side," said Captain Stephens to Mr. Hazlett. "Not many natives from the east coast come over here to work, and from what I know of the prevailing tides and winds I am more disposed to believe that they have been carried off toward the southeast corner of the island. The land runs out there, and, granted any decent kind of luck, the boys probably made a landing--if they could keep afloat so far."
"But what may have happened to them before this?" began Mr. Hazlett.
"Tut, man! We've all got to take our chances," replied the old sea-dog. "They've done their best, and we must do our best, too."
Week after week, hour after hour, and, as it seemed, almost inch by inch, the cutter crawled on around the wild coast of Kadiak, tapping each arm and inlet, literally combing out the full extent of the broken shore-line. So gradually they passed below the southern extremity of the island, worked up from the southeast, and one day came to anchor not far from the native settlement known as Old Harbor. Here a breakdown to their machinery kept them waiting for ten days. Meantime, the boat crews were out at their work. One day a young lieutenant came in and with some excitement asked to see the captain.
"I have to report, sir, that I think we've got word of those boys!" he said, eagerly, as he saluted.
"There's a big boat party back from Kaludiak Bay, sir. They were in there on a whale-hunt several weeks ago. They saw a camp with three white boys and one refugee Aleut."
"Arrest every man Jack of them and bring them in!" roared Captain Stephens.
"Already done that, sir!" reported the lieutenant. "They are in the long-boat alongside."
A few moments later he and Mr. Hazlett found the deck crowded with a score of much-frightened natives.
"Who's the interpreter here?" commanded the captain.
A squaw-man who for some years had lived with the natives was pushed forward. He was none too happy himself, for he expected nothing better than intimate questions regarding certain wrecking operations which for years past had gone on along this part of the coast.
"Now tell me," began Captain Stephens, "what do you know about those boys over there? Why didn't these people bring out word to the settlement? What are you looking for here? Do you want me to blow your village off the rocks? Come, now, speak up, my good fellow, or you'll mighty well wish you had!"
