Sunset brought clouds, and, by the time it was really dark, the entire sky was overcast, but the sea remained comparatively calm, and the wind steady.  I judged we were making in the neighborhood of nine knots, and carefully pricked my chart to assure myself of our position.  Even at that I was not entirely satisfied, although I kept this lack of faith hidden from the others.  Dorothy, however, who kept close beside me much of the time, must have sensed my doubt to some extent, for once she questioned me curiously.

“Are you not sure of your figures?” she asked, glancing from the chart into my face.  “That is three times you have measured the distance.”

“It is not the figures; it is the accuracy of the chart,” I explained.  “It is not new, for the schooner evidently seldom made this coast, and it was probably only by chance that they had such a map aboard.  Even the best of the charts, are not absolutely correct, and this one may be entirely wrong.  I shall rely more on keeping a careful watch tonight than on the map; you see this cape?  For all I know it may jut out fifty miles east of where it appears to be and we might run into shoal water at any minute.”

She wrinkled her brows over the lines on the map, and then stared out across the darkening sea, without speaking.

It was a pleasant night in spite of the darkness, the air soft, and refreshing.  We divided the men into watches, Watkins selecting the more capable for lookouts.  I explained to these the danger, and posted them on the forecastle heads, ready to respond instantly to any call.  I could see the glow of their pipes for some time, but finally these went out, one by one, and the growl of voices ceased.  The schooner was in darkness, except for a faint reflection from the binnacle light aft, revealing the dim figure of the helmsman.  Overhead the canvas disappeared into the gloom of the sky.

The locker was filled with flags, representing almost every nation on earth.  Evidently the Santa Marie was willing to fly any colors, which would insure safety, or allay suspicion in her nefarious trade.  I dragged these out, and spread them on the deck abaft the cabin, thus forming a very comfortable bed, and at last induced the girl to lie down, wrapping her in a blanket.  But, although she reclined there, and rested, she was in no mood for sleep, and, whenever my restless wandering brought me near I was made aware of her wakefulness.  Finally I found a seat beside her on a coil of rope, and we fell into conversation, which must have lasted for an hour or more.