“Now you can earn your four shillings a day,” said Lomax.
The remark was addressed to his disappearing back, for Carberry was already hastening below.
“A change of course,” said Smith. “I’ll wager a week’s pay on it.”
“No takers,” said Roberts.
It was the most likely new development of all, for Carberry, the master, was the officer charged with the navigation of the ship.
Already it was almost full night, dark enough to make the features of the speakers indistinct, although over to the westward there was still a red patch on the horizon, and a faint red trail over the black water towards the ship. The binnacle lights had been lit and the brighter stars were already visible in the dark sky, with the mastheads seeming to brush past them, with the motion of the ship, infinitely far over their heads. The ship’s bell rang out, but the group showed no tendency to disperse. And then interest quickened. Here were Buckland and Carberry returning, ascending the companionway; the group drew on one side to clear them a passage.
“Officer of the watch!” said Buckland.
“Sir!” said Smith, coming forward in the darkness.
“We’re altering course two points. Steer southwest.”
“Aye aye, sir. Course southwest. Mr. Abbott, pipe the hands to the braces.”