"If he can afford to be friendly I can," thought Jack, who was not a
person to cherish long any bitterness of feeling against another, and he
resolved to treat Fret as well as possible.

This, coupled with that bond of sympathy for an associate one is sure to
have on leaving those dear to him far behind, made the two seem somewhat
like friends.

Had Jack known the truth, known the frequent and long conversations his
deceitful companion had held with the plotting Furniss, and how the latter
had worked to get Offut sent on this voyage with him, our hero would have
felt different toward the other. The second boss's parting words had been:
"Remember you owe this opportunity to me, Fret Offut, who might have gone
but for my willingness to let you. Don't forget either that if, for any
reason, North does not get to Valparaiso you will step into his place, and
gain the honor he is anxious to get."

This was spoken with such signs and indications as only one in the secret
could understand, and young Offut nodded knowingly, as much as to say:

"I understand perfectly, and will not fail in my part to gain our ends."

It may have been that the looked-for opportunity did not come, as he had
expected, or that his courage failed him in his cowardly purpose, for no
harm befel Jack until on the evening before the day, which, if nothing
unfavorable occurred, the commander had promised would bring them within
sight of land. Jack stood by the quarter-rail a long time watching the sun
sink into the distant water, and then the silent coming of the stars into
the firmament overhead.