Mr. Leman rubbed his broken nose. The skipper gave Dennis a sharp look, then forced a smile.
"Why, certainly, Mr. Dennis! Very glad indeed to hear it. The means?"
"By Captain Hathaway's winking his eyes in response to certain questions. Simple, if we'd only thought about it, eh? And, Captain, Mrs. Dennis and I both think that when we reach Unalaska she had better be put ashore there with her father. She's rather worried over his condition, and she'd be able to secure comforts ashore which can't be had here."
Pontifex nodded absently. His pallid features looked very uneasy.
"Then you'd go on with us?" he asked after a moment.
"Of course!" assented Dennis heartily. "Don't you want me?"
"You bet we do!" returned the skipper fervently, his face clearing. "We'll need every man aboard when the work begins."
"Good—then it's settled!" exclaimed Dennis. "When do we make Unimak Pass?"
"To-morrow night," spoke up Mr. Leman, and fell to discussing the weather.
Five minutes later Florence appeared on deck, smiled and nodded brightly as the two officers touched their caps, and approached them with well-assumed eagerness.