Captain Halstead nodded. Soon afterwards he went below, to the main cabin.
"I've come to report for orders, Mr. Baldwin," he announced.
"They're simple enough," replied the owner. "Clear the coast by some twenty miles; then cruise south, at not too great speed—say, about twelve miles an hour."
"Do these orders hold until changed, sir?"
"Yes, Captain."
Tom saluted, then turned as though to leave the cabin, but Mr. Baldwin called him back.
"You're not needed on the bridge yet, Captain. Remain with us a little while, if you feel like it. You can see that Dr. Gray is keeping his own watch down here in the main cabin."
At that moment the physician, an elderly man, stepped out of a stateroom, closing the door after him.
"There! My patient will sleep for some hours, I think. I'll take the upper berth in his room to-night, so that I can hear him and attend to him if he wakes. Ah, good evening, Captain. Or is it good morning? I have been told of your fine work—on land, at that."