“I’ll wager ten to one, this Lihoa is one of the greedy Chinamen who is going to sail on the ’St. George’,” said Mr. Black.  “Let’s go down to the office of the Chief of Police, and, if my conjecture is true, we’ll find the people we want on board the ’St. George’—­’kill two birds with one stone’, as the old saying has it.  Be quick, Father, get your hat and walking stick and come with me.  We haven’t a moment to lose.”

The two men hurried down to the harbor.  The Chief of Police received them in a friendly manner, but when they laid their case before him, he shrugged his shoulders and said:  “I am very sorry, indeed.  You have come just eight hours too late.  The ‘St. George’ sailed this morning at two with the tide and a favorable wind.”

“What is to be done?” questioned the Father.

“We will send your papers to Melbourne and Sidney and have the Captain and Lihoa arrested when they put into port.  That is all that can be done,” answered the Chief.

Matters had to be left thus.  Mr. Black returned to his office to make out the necessary documents, and Father Somazzo to the College to commend both boys to God and his ministering angels.

CHAPTER VII.

An Unexpected Departure.

On the morning following the Chinese New Year, with a favoring west wind the “St. George” put to sea with Green at the helm, because the Captain was unable to find a man that he liked better, who was capable of taking his place.  Restlessly the Captain paced up and down the deck, gazing at the island in the moonlight until it was lost in the sea.  As soon as the morning light gave better opportunities, he climbed to the crow’s nest and with a field glass searched the western horizon, and not until the sun was well up did he push the glass 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—­”