“Start, and go at full speed as long as you can,” came Tom’s order. “I want to get to that island as soon as possible, and find dad and mother.”
The hoarse whistle of the Sea Queen warned other craft that she was about to leave her berth. A little later her funnels belched black smoke, and from her pipe the white steam spurted. She was off for the island.
[CHAPTER XXIV]
THE CASTAWAYS
Quite a new experience it was for Tom to be in command of a steamer, even though it was a comparatively small craft. And he was in actual command, for, though Captain Mosher was the navigator, and had all the powers captains usually have on the high seas, still Tom was the master, and his orders would be obeyed.
“If only dad and mother were here with me, or if I knew they were safe, and I had a crowd of fellows from Elmwood Hall here,” Tom reflected, “this would be sport. But as it is there’s too much worry in it to suit me.”
Not that he shirked his duty in the least, but it was a big responsibility for a youth, and none knew it better than Captain Mosher.
“That boy has grit!” the commander exclaimed to his mate. “There ain’t many lads like him who would start off as he did on such a slim chance to find his parents. And, after being shipwrecked, he starts off again.”
“Oh, ’e’s H’American!” exclaimed the mate, who was quite a Cockney in his way. “’E’s H’American, and H’Americans will do hanythink, so I’ve ’eard, sir.”