Adolph had most carefully retained the position of Great Snake Island, but still there might have been an error in calculation made by the first mate of the Wampiri. He was a steady man then, though drinking when off duty, and so this was improbable.
He tried to be steady during the present voyage of the Fortuna, and touched no spirits nor wines for a time. He knew right well how much he had at stake, and was cautious.
He himself, moreover, saw to all calculations and made reckonings, and on the whole, as his two Jewish owners remarked, a more trustworthy and reliable sailing master could not have been found. This for the first five weeks.
The broadswords of the Breezy began to be a little anxious when next day passed and no Fortuna hove in sight. She must have already found the islands, and her crew by now must have commenced the work of diving.
But about an hour after sunrise next day every heart was gladdened by the appearance, far away on the weather bow, of a barque under steam and easy sail, answering exactly to the right build of the Fortuna. They overhauled her easily. Indeed, they were coming up hand over hand in her wake, then keeping off a point or two, the Breezy hailed her.
"What vessel is that?"
Everyone on the Breezy held his breath to listen.
"The Fortuna!"
At the word a little cheer had to be repressed on board the man-o'-war.
"Bound for the Horn, and home."