When the arms had been distributed and carefully examined, the sixteen foot surf-boat was uncovered and preparations made for hoisting her overboard. By the time this was done it was late in the afternoon, and almost soon enough for us to be thinking about overcoming the distance which separated us from our destination.
About dusk I was standing aft, leaning against the taff-rail, when Beckenham came up and stood beside me. It was wonderful what a difference these few months had made in him; he was now as brown as a berry, and as fine-looking a young fellow as any man could wish to see.
"We shall be picking up the island directly," I said as he came to an anchor alongside me. "Do you think you ought to go to-night? Remember you will run the risk of being shot!"
"I have thought of that," he said. "I believe it's my duty to do my best to help you and Mr. Wetherell."
"But what would your father say if he knew?"
"He would say that I only did what was right. I have just been writing to him, telling him everything. If anything should happen to me you will find the letter on the chest of drawers in your cabin. I know you will send it on to him. But if we both come out of it safely and rescue Miss Wetherell I'm going to ask a favour."
"Granted before I know what it is!"
"It isn't a very big one. I want you to let me be your best man at your wedding?"
"So you shall. And a better I could not possibly desire."
"I like to hear you say that. We've been through a good deal together since we left Europe, haven't we?"