“Why, there’s a signal flying too,” said Hilary, as he took his glass.
“Yes, that’s a signal of recall too,” said the other coolly. “I wonder what ship they are speaking to? The Kestrel sails well.”
“Gloriously,” said Hilary, flushing with pleasure; “and I know how to sail her, too. Well, Mr Anderson, now we’re getting towards clear water, and there’s time to speak, let’s shake hands. I’m very glad to see you, and I hope we shall be the best of friends.”
“I’m sure we shall,” said the newcomer, shaking hands warmly. “Ah! that shot fell behind us. We’re getting beyond them now.”
“Oh, yes; there’s no fear of their hitting us,” said Hilary laughing, as the Kestrel careened over more and more as she caught the full force of the wind. “If we go on at this rate it will almost puzzle a cannonball to catch us. I know there is no vessel in Portsmouth harbour that could with this wind.”
“Do you think not?” said the lieutenant.
“I’m sure not,” said Hilary gaily; and they walked the deck chatting as, by degrees, they passed the Isle of Wight, making the open channel more and more, while Lieutenant Anderson—the real—was closeted with Admiral and Captain Charteris, all puzzled at the sudden flight of the Kestrel, which had set sail without her despatches, and also without what the old admiral called ballast for the young commander, namely, Lieutenant Anderson, who had gone off with his despatches directly after his counterfeit, only to find the cutter gone.
Signal guns and flags proving vain, there was nothing for it but to send another vessel in chase of the Kestrel, but it was hours before one could be got off, and meanwhile the swift despatch boat was tearing on towards her destination, with poor Hilary happy in the blind belief that he was doing his best.
There was something very delightful in feeling that he was chief officer of the Kestrel, that the duty of the swift little cutter was to be carried out without the wretched cavilling and fault-finding of the late commander. Everything seemed to work so smoothly now; the men were all alacrity, and they saluted him constantly with a bright smile, which showed that they shared his pleasure.
The breeze was brisk, the sun came out, and Lieutenant Anderson, the self-styled, proved to be a very pleasant, well informed man, who very soon showed Hilary that he had not the slightest intention of interfering in any way with his management of the cutter.