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"Right here, sir," replied the boatman, pointing to the steps at the landing-place. "The best sailboat in the harbor, sir." "I want to sail about this bay for a couple of hours," added Christy, as he stopped on the upper step to examine the craft. It was built exactly like the Eleuthera, though not quite so large.
Both of them put on plain overcoats, and went on deck, where the boat, which had the name of Eleuthera painted on the stern, had already been committed to the waves. "Bon voyage, Mr. Rubumper," said Captain Chanter, as the Frenchman was about to descend the accommodation ladder. "I know French enough to say that." "Thank you, Captain." "I hope you will make a success of the enterprise, Mr.
She made no water, and did not appear to be injured. Without further mishap the Eleuthera passed through the opening in the reefs, and, taking the bearing of the light on Gibbs Hill, Mr. Gilfleur, as Christy began to call him from this time, laid his course to the south-west.
A rich and very extensive "sponge field" was recently discovered near Eleuthera, but as the water there has a considerable depth, five or six fathoms, fishing is attended with difficulty. In fact, it is rendered impossible wherever the "segler" or sailor fish are found, for the mud which these tiny creatures stir up completely veils the sponges from the eye of the fisherman.
He appeared to come from a small house a short distance from the shore, and passed along to a boat which lay near the Eleuthera. "Is that your boat?" asked the detective, calling him back. "Yes, sir; I am a fisherman, though I've got the rheumatism, and don't go out much; but I have to go to-day, for we have nothing to eat in the house," replied the negro, whose language was very good.
"I saw you looking at the steamer there," said the boatman, pointing to the vessel in which Christy was interested. "Do you wish to go on board of her, sir?" "No; I desire only to sail about the harbor, and perhaps go outside the bar. Can you cross it in this boat?" "Yes, sir; no trouble at all about crossing it in the Dinah. Take you over to Eleuthera, if you like."
Joseph was profuse in his expressions of gratitude, for with so much money in his pocket he need not go a-fishing again for a month or more, and protested with all his might that he would not mention them to anybody. The night was dark enough to conceal the Eleuthera after she got away from the shore, but not so dark that the skipper could not find his way around the reefs to Hogfish Cut.
The conversation was continued for full three hours longer; at the end of which time they saw a dark body ahead on the port bow, and heard some rather gentle screams from a steam whistle. Mr. Gilfleur estimated that the Eleuthera was at least fifteen miles from the light, and the whistles were not loud enough to be heard at that distance.
Passford wished me to have him called when you came on board," added the commander, as he sent a quartermaster to summon Christy to the captain's cabin. "I don't understand how Mr. Passford can be on board of the ship," continued the bewildered Frenchman. "Ah, he might have hired a boat like the Eleuthera to bring him off."
He had been over to the pier to look after the Eleuthera, and had found Joseph at his house. The boat was all right; her keeper had washed her out, and put everything in order on board of her. M. Rubempré returned to the hotel, and after supper Joseph came for the valises. It was quite dark when they left the place, and made their way to the pier.
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