“Tell them to go ashore,” he said to the interpreter. “I suppose they can use the boat you came out in?”
“Of course. It is my only chance to send her back.”
“Now ask the engineer to get steam on,” Roy said when the men had disappeared over the side.
“Will your friend be back soon?” Manuel inquired.
“I am expecting him every moment, and as soon as he steps aboard you may tell the captain to get under way.”
Manuel repeated this order at once, and the sailing master, after speaking a few words to the engineer, did not disdain to work the capstan himself, hauling the little craft directly over the anchor.
The black smoke which came from the stack, together with the soft murmur of escaping steam, told that the Zoe could be on her way out of the harbor in less than three minutes from the time the word to start was given.
Vance was thoroughly displeased that Roy should have thus taken the management of matters so wholly into his own hands.
He fancied that both the sailing master and the interpreter looked very well satisfied after it was decided the latter should accompany the yacht, and felt quite confident they exchanged triumphant glances when the word was given to be ready to leave the instant Ned came aboard.
Unfortunately, however, he did not remonstrate with Roy, as he should have done, but went aft and remained there alone, watching for Ned.