"Then I will go, of course," she said smilingly. "Let us not discuss
it any more."
The Captain stepped forward, bowing, bare-headed.
"Most bravely spoken," he said soberly. "I owe you a debt, madam. Mr.
Smith, have the boat prepared at once to carry out my idea."
"To leave the impression that an incompetent seaman had been in charge
of it through the night, sir?"
"Exactly; the mast overboard, and the canvas stowed badly."
"Yes, sir, a big sheet."
"Bunch it so as to leave all the space possible; leave the jib set; it
will help conceal the men. Send Lieutenant Hutton here."
"He will have command of the party?"
"Yes; let him pick his own men, and then report to me; arm them with a
revolver apiece. Be lively about it."
He turned to us as Smith left the cabin.
"I cannot offer you much at this hour," he said genially, "but the boy
has some hot coffee ready. Bring on what you have, Joe."
CHAPTER XXXV
THE DECK OF THE SEA GULL
The dawn broke gray and desolate, the vista of restless waters growing
gradually wider, as the light spread out across the eastern sky. The
clouds yet hung thick and low, yielding a ghastly aspect to the dawn,
somberness to the picture of breaking waves tipped by flying vapors of
mist.
Pages:
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299