It certainly looked like Winn's signature.
Billy Brackett was staggered.

What could it all mean?
Something was evidently wrong; but what it was he could not determine.
"Where is this Mr.Caspar now ?" he asked.
"Went ashore the moment we touched here," was the reply.

"Said he must hurry back to St.Louis.

Took his man with him." "Was he a young fellow; a mere boy, in fact ?" "Oh, bless you, no! He was past middle-age.

Small, thin man, with a smooth face; and the other was a big man with a beard." "And what became of the cook, the negro, whom you rescued ?" "He's down below somewhere, getting dry.