The second officer of the _Morning Star_ was one of them; he had been compelled to dissemble and to appear to serve the mutinous band; the others were innocent passengers, whose lives had not been taken.

All agreed in one thing: that Gordon, the ringleader, had in all probability escaped.

He had put off from the _Morning Star_, when she was sinking, in one of her best boats; he and some of his lawless helpmates, with a bag of biscuit, a cask of water, and a few bottles that probably contained rum.

Whether they succeeded in reaching a port or in getting picked up, was a question; but it was assumed they had done so.
The owners of the _Morning Star_, half paralyzed at the news of so daring and unusual an outrage, offered the large reward of five hundred pounds for the capture of George Gordon; and Government increased the offer by two hundred, making it seven in all.
Overwhelming tidings for Clerk Gum and his wife! A brief season of agonized suspense ensued for the poor mother; of hopes and fears as to whether Willy was amongst the remnant saved; and then hope died away, for he did not come.
Once more, for the last time, Clerk Gum took a journey, not to London, but to Liverpool.

He succeeded in seeing the officer who had been saved; but he could give him no information.