But—but—dis knocks dis niggah, suah! I dun fink yo' was on dat udder ship."
"I was on it, but I escaped yesterday, while the schooner lay in the river yonder."
"An' where am Tom and Sam, sah?"
"That I don't know. They left the vessel with me, but we became separated in the water."
"Perhaps da dun been cotched ag'in," and Pop's face took on a sober look.
"That is what I am afraid of."
"Didn't see nuffin ob 'em nowhere?"
"No. I was hit by a lighter and knocked senseless."
"Whar's dat dar Peacock?"
"Gone, too."
"Wot you' spects to do?"
"I was going to inform the authorities. We must find Tom and Sam."
"Dat's right, sah."
"Where is the Swallow?"
"Tied up jest below heah, sah, Dat dar Luke Peterson is a-sailin' ob her wid me."
"Good. Perhaps he can help us in the search. He knows these waters well, so he told me."
Together the pair made their way to the police station, where they told their stories to the officer in charge.
An alarm was at once sent out, and the river
