"You are doing me an injustice, sir," returned the girl gravely. "Whatever my former plans may have been I am now determined not to abandon this voyage until we have found your sister and her companion. I was greatly attracted by Orissa Kane, and grieve over her sad fate sincerely. Moreover, I do not like to put my hand to the plow without completing the furrow. Unless you believe you can charter a better boat for your purpose than the Salvador, or can find a crew more devoted to your interests, I shall order Captain Krell to turn about and renew the search."
That, of course, settled the matter. The Salvador put about and returned to a point where the see-sawing must be renewed and extended to cover more expanse of ocean.
Chesty Todd, coming to where Madeline stood beside the rail, looked into her piquant face with frank admiration.
"Excuse me, Miss Dentry," said he, "but you're what I'd call a brick. I knew, of course, you'd stick it out, but there's no harm in congratulating a girl on being true blue. I'm awfully glad you—you had the grit to tackle it again. I'll never be myself again until those girls are found."
She looked up at him reflectively.
"Which of the young ladies are you engaged to?" she asked.
"Me?" blushing like a schoolboy; "neither one, if you please. They—they're only kids, you know."
"Then which one do you love?"
"Both!" said Chesty Todd, earnestly. "They're splendid girls, Miss Dentry; your sort, you know."
She smiled.