Okopa's command was in the vicinity. Then they hunted this up, to learn the sad news from Gilbert that Ben was missing.
"Missing!" ejaculated Larry, in horror. "Taken by Chunchuses! Oh, Gilbert, this is dreadful!"
"Well, I don't know as you feel any worse than I do, Larry," answered Gilbert. "It makes me wild to think of it."
"But couldn't you find any trace of him at all?"
"Not the slightest, although I think he was carried off in a boat."
"But why should the Chinese brigands make him a prisoner?"
"I'm sure I don't know, excepting to hold him for a ransom. But if they intended to do that it is likely we should have heard from them before this."
The matter was discussed as long as Larry and Luke could remain on shore. But nothing came of it, and with a heavy heart the young gunner's mate returned to his place on the warship.
