"Yes, but if he tells us so, he must have had some reason for it," she objected.
"Don't talk nonsense! Look after the foresail!"
The wind blew a light gale on the open sea, and since there was a considerable distance between the foresail and the stern there was no need for conversation, much to the baron's relief.
Their course was directed towards the south-east corner of Hven, though at first not noticeably so. But when she at last saw whither they were going, she called out: "Don't steer for Hven!"
"Hold your——!" answered the baron and tacked.
After an hour's good run they had come abreast of the white island and a light pressure on the rudder turned the boat's prow towards Landskrona, which appeared in the north.
"Saved!" cried the steersman and lit a cigar.
At the same instant a little steamer put out from Hven and made straight for the sailing-boat.
"What is that steamer?" she asked.
"It is a custom-house boat," answered the baron who was at home on the sea.