The Christiania had pursued her course. Suddenly there was a deafening roar, a vibration which shook the ship. Fifty yards in front of the Christiania the sea was all churned into foam.
"It's just an 'int!" the tug-master exclaimed in delight. "It's a blankety 'int! Look at 'em running about on board."
There were signs of an immense commotion on board the Christiania. Another signal slowly fluttered to the masthead. The tug-master, who was watching the steamer's progress, grinned.
"They're giving in," he declared. "They've stopped the engines. Oh, if they'd only let me go on board her!"
The lieutenant came running lightly down the bridge and approached Aaron.
"We are sending a crew on board the Christiania," he announced. "You'd better go and see if you can identify the young lady. There's a boat being lowered from the other deck."
"May I go along, sir?" the tug-master asked eagerly.
The officer shook his head.
"You stay where you are, my man," he directed. "You'll get compensation for your tug, if your story turns out to be true."
The man sighed.