The Captain shook his head.
“They’d log our course as soon as they received all particulars by wire, and from the crow’s-nest on the masts they’d see us sooner than we could find them.”
“Well, then, we must run away; and if she is only doing eighteen knots we should have no difficulty in escaping.”
“True, ma’am, if it was a stern chase; but she’ll have us right under her bows.”
“And what will you do if she orders us to stop?” and the young lady fixed a burning glance upon the dark and troubled face of the Captain.
“I’ll take my orders from you, Miss Laura,” he said gravely; “even though she turns her big guns on us.”
“Well, then, signal to the engineer to cram on all steam. We won’t get under her guns, at any rate.”
The Captain smiled, then touched the bell, and the sharp summons below was answered by prompt stoking.
Frank stood back, an amazed and silent witness of this scene on the little bridge. It seemed a thing incredible and unreal that a girl should have control in a matter fraught with such a responsibility and such peril. He glanced keenly at the Captain to see whether or no he were humouring the young lady; but there was no sign in that dark and gloomy face except an air of grim resignation, while, though Miss Laura showed, in the imperious lift of her head and in her flashing eyes, visible tokens of intense feeling, she gave no trace of a mind unhinged.
“Heave the log, Mr Webster.”