'Ye dinna ha' to fash yersel' aboot the engine, Mr Gansert,' he said. 'Ah've got her so she'll go when I click me fingers.'
'Get it going then,' I said. 'And make it quick.' As he dived down the engine-room hatch, I ordered Wilson to let go the warps. 'And do it quietly,' I told him.
He climbed over the rail and in a few seconds both warps were on deck. I slipped aft and took the wheel. The engine coughed twice and then roared into life. 'Full astern;' I called down to Carter. There was a bubbling froth under our stern and we began to move. As we slid clear of the wharf, I ordered 'Full ahead' and swung the wheel. The engine roared. The propellers frothed and gurgled under the water. The long bowsprit swung in a wide arc until it pointed straight for the main span of Tower Bridge.
Dick came tumbling out from the companionway. Jorgensen was right behind him. 'What is happening?' Jorgensen demanded. 'Why are we moving out into the river?'
'We're changing our berth,' I told him.
'Where to?' he asked suspiciously.
'To Norway,' I answered.
CHAPTER TWO
The Gybe
When I told Jorgensen we were on our way to Norway, he was furious. He brushed past Dick and came aft to where I sat at the wheel. 'Put back at once,' he said. 'I demand to be put ashore.'