Previously, Joe discovers a young girl in his cabin.
Joe was preparing to light a fourth match when he felt a sharp sudden jab to his left ankle. "I'm right here," returned Emily. She poked Joe one more time with the pointed end of her parasol. "My Mama insists that I take my medicine even on this silly boat trip. I'm not going back. I hate cod liver oil," complained the girl from her hiding place under the bunk-bed across from Joe.
Joe was out of bed in a flash and standing in the hallway, holding the cabin door open. The room and hallway were in darkness. Night time had settled in on Mile 53 while he had been sleeping. He lit a match and re-entered his cabin. The girl was now standing against the far wall. Joe grabbed her by the arm and escorted her out of the room, up the stairs, and onto the poop-deck. He deposited his new-found friend on a large coil of mooring ropes near a storm lantern and scolded her. "Everyone is looking for you!" "Now, you stay here." Joe walked off along the side deck to find out where the rest of the crew was.
When he reached the passenger gangway, Joe spotted a small slate chalkboard. He sounded out the letters, "DEPARTURE 4:00 AM." The words had been printed out with white chalk. As he stood by, wondering exactly what the message on the chalkboard was all about, old Anders and Mrs. Munshaw appeared on the scene.
"Is that you Joe?" asked Anders.
"That's right," replied Joe.
"This is Mrs. Munshaw," explained the steward. "She is from South Fort George. Her husband has just opened a Photographic Studio there and . . ."
The woman interrupted, "Listen here Mr. Anders. While you stand here chin-wagging, remember, my daughter is still lost somewhere on this boat. I demand to see the captain!"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Munshaw. I've been doing my best. The crew should be back anytime now. We'll find her," replied Anders as he checked his pocket watch. "Wait, I think I see someone on the wharf."
Mrs. Munshaw and Joe turned in the direction of the long log warehouse and then strained their eyes to see who was approaching. The deserted dock area was partially illuminated with storm lanterns.
"It's the captain," whispered Anders. He quickly checked his watch again. The time was well past the curfew hour of midnight.
In the next episode, THE CAPTAIN RETURNS, Caribou Joe, Anders and Mrs. Munshaw are confronted by a well-inebriated ship's 'Master.'
