But with the distance, the uncertain
light, and the curtain of mist that was thickening between us, my eyes
might have deceived me, and I omitted to mention my suspicions to Mrs.
Knapp.
When the mist and darkness had blotted out shore, wharves and shipping,
the tug moved at half-speed down the channel. I persuaded the captain
that there was no need to sound the whistle, but he declined gruffly to
increase his speed.
"I might as well be shot as run my boat ashore," he growled, with a few
emphatic seamanlike adjectives that appeared to belong to nothing in
particular. "And any one that doesn't like my way of running a boat can
get out and walk."
I did not know of any particular reason for arguing the question, so I
joined Mrs. Knapp.
"Thank God, we are safe!" she said, with a sigh of relief.
"We shall be in the city in half an hour, if that is safety," I said.
"It will be safety for a few days. Then we can devise a new plan. I
have a strong arm to lean on again."
"I think if you would tell me who the boy is, and why the danger
threatens him, I might help you more wisely."
"Perhaps you are right," said Mrs. Knapp thoughtfully. "You shall know
before it is necessary to make our next plans."
And then the boy called for her attention and I returned to the deck.
The light of the morning was growing. Vessels were moving. The whistles
of the ferry-boats, as they gave warning of their way through the mist,
rose shrill on the air.
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