The
_Morning Star_ was sunk, with the greater portion of her living freight.
A few, only some four or five, were saved by the other ship, and conveyed
to England.
It was by them the dark tale was brought. 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.
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