One or two might return with the mate, in such vessel as he should obtain in which to come for them, but the most of them, if they reached a seaport, would scatter, after the manner of seamen.
The two sailors departed, promising, if they could not bring back fish or fowl, to return before dark, with a report of the lay of the land.
It was very well that Maka did not have to depend on these hunters for the evening meal, for night came without them, and the next morning they had not returned.

The captain was very much troubled.

The men must be lost, or they had met with some accident.

There could be no other reason for their continued absence.

They had each a gun, and plenty of powder and shot, but they had taken only provisions enough for a single meal.
Davis offered to go up the hills to look for the missing men.