together. Then he muttered to himself as he came down from the rigging:

"My fears are vain. Why, that Italian priest wouldn't have the Chief
of Police send a steam launch after us on account of that boy. And yet
Redfox states positively that he sent the agents of the police to the
sailors' home, to sidle up to the crew that I dismissed and to try to
get out of them all the information they could. But what do they know?
What can they prove?--Oh, I am such a coward! Come, John, come. Drive
these stupid fears out of your head. Think of the future and not of
the past."

The Captain went to the helmsman and found the boatswain and first
officer, Redfox, with him. All greeted the Captain in a becoming
manner and wished for favoring winds to carry them on their way.

"We could make use of them all right," cried the Captain. "Gray, the
ship can carry more canvas. Set all the sails, and Green, do you steer
as straight as a crow flies for the Channel of Balintang. How far is
it to Balintang, Redfox?"

"Four hundred and fifty sea miles, but we can save a hundred miles by
holding for the southern point of Luzon--"

"Yes, and be wrecked on some one of the hundred reefs and islands which
make the route by the Philippines so dangerous! No, Mr. Redfox, though
it is of great importance for me to get to Melbourne as soon as
possible, I shall not take any risks going that way. We'll go farther
to the north through the Balintang, from there down between the Palau
and Caroline Islands, on through by the Soloman Islands, and the
Lousiade Archipelago."