He hurried beachwards alone.
There was a ship in the roadstead certainly, but it was not the Breezy.
He was not even certain she was British, but he waited and waited. And not far off Bungle was waiting too.
By and bye a white boat came rushing through the water shorewards, and Kep could tell even by the sturdy thump-thump of oars in rowlocks that they were hearts of oak who manned her.
She was smartly hauled up, and a young lieutenant sprang out.
Kep rushed up to him.
"You wantee one boy guide, sah? I plenty goodee guide, plenty goodee!"
The lieutenant looked down.
"Thank you, little man, but I know my way. I am going no further than the Consulate to-night."
But Kep followed, as if importunate, and when they were alone--