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.
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