Near the end he said: "You're to sleep in the room you've been occupying.

The door will not be bolted on you, but I don't think you'll leave the ship.

The nearest land is sixty or seventy miles away, and that's a long swim." "I won't chance it," said Robert.

"Just now I prefer solid timber beneath my feet." "A wise decision, Peter." After supper the slaver went about his duties, whatever they were, and Robert, utterly free so far as the schooner was concerned, went on deck.
It was quite dark and the wind was blowing strong, but the ship was steady, and her swift keel cut the waters.

All around him curved the darkness, and the loneliness of the sea was immense at that moment.