What more likely then than that some new recruit had returned to the bark, attracted by a sailor's tale?
Who would know how the stranger came among them, or question his presence, unless suspicion became aroused?
Even if questioned, a good story, easily told, might win the trick.

Before daylight came, and already well at sea beyond pursuit, inconspicuous among the others, accepted as mate by the men, unrecognized even by the officers, there was scarcely a probability that anyone aboard would note, or question my presence.
And I felt convinced I could locate the _Namur_.

Ay, even in that darkness I could find the bark, if the vessel yet swung at her former anchorage.

The task would not even be a difficult one.

The stars gave me the compass points, and I recalled with some clearness the general trend of the coast line as we came up.