He felt slightly sick when he saw the bow of the ship heading straight into the dock. He saw a group of men standing on shore. If the one on the left moved within the count of three they would smash into the dock....
He was forced to admire the way in which Evans swung the ship over.
Hodges joined him with the baggage. “I got everything here, Major.”
“Good, good. You might toss it up on shore.” A deckhand came, though, and took the baggage for them.
“Looks like everybody’s down to see us.”
The Major nodded. Several officers were waving to him. His friend, the Chief of Staff, an old army Colonel, was waiting for him on the dock.
Impatiently Major Barkison watched the deckhands as they made the ship fast. When they were at last securely moored to the dock, he looked up at the wheelhouse and asked, “Is it all right to go ashore, Mr Evans?”
“Yes, sir,” said Evans, who was standing by one of the windows.
The Major and Hodges climbed onto the dock. They were immediately surrounded by a group of officers.
Major Barkison was quite moved at the concern they showed. It seemed that the ship had been reported missing and that they had given up all hope of seeing him again. It was only an hour before that they had heard the ship had been sighted off the coast of Arunga.