All that I wish is that they would give me the chance to send a letter to Tom and let him know where I am.

The poor fellow must be greatly worried over me." He ventured to ask whether he would be permitted to send a letter ashore, but the refusal was given in such an angry manner that he regretted making it.
Several days now followed, during which the schooner beat up and down Delaware Bay without making a landing.
One night the vessel was caught in such a terrific blow that she came within a hair of being driven on the Jersey shore.

The two men, however, were fine sailors, and assisted by the negro Sam, who was also an expert, they safely rode through the gale.
In the course of a week they approached the wharves at Philadelphia, where they were boarded by the proper officers.

The latter seemed to find everything all right on board the schooner, and departed, apparently without noticing the boy standing near, who watched their motions with great interest.
The Simoon lay at the wharf all night, which was unusually mild for that season of the year.
The cabin door was open and the negro was on duty, while one of the men was asleep in the hammock over Jim's head.
The second sailor had gone up-town somewhere, and there was no telling when he would return.
The lad was nearly asleep, when he heard footsteps on deck; and in the dim light from the lamp he observed the missing sailor coming down the steps, followed closely by Hornblower.

When they were fairly within they shut the door, and the seaman turned up the wick of the lamp overhead.
A fancy struck Jim at this moment that he would pretend he was unconscious, though he had little hope of gaining anything by it.
As soon as the light filled the apartment, Hornblower looked over at the two forms stretched out in the hammocks, and asked in a whisper,-- "Are they asleep ?" The sailor leaned over each in turn, and carefully surveyed the features and listened to the breathing.
"Yes; they don't know any more than a couple of logs." "I wouldn't have the boy overhear us for the world." "There ain't any danger of that." Thus believing, the two men talked business straight along.
"It won't do to stay here any longer," said Hornblower.
"Why not ?" "Because it's dangerous; you was such a fool yesterday as to allow the boy on deck when the officer was there, and he couldn't help noticing him." "But they didn't speak to each other, and if the officer had suspected anything he would have showed it." "Maybe he would and maybe he wouldn't; you must know that the boy's photograph has been scattered over the country, and he is likely to be recognized by any countryman." "How are you making out with the negotiations ?" "It all looks well enough, if you don't spoil it by your tomfoolery.