Such a wild rush was made for the boat falls that the good-natured officer had to interfere and pick out eight men, and with Lilo as pilot and himself in charge, the boat left the ship amid further cheering.
In the cabin Mrs. Marston, now looking bright and happy, was telling her story to Frewen and Cheyne.
“And now,” she said, as she concluded, “I am the very happiest woman in all the world, and oh! Captain Frewen, when I think I shall see Mrs. Raymond within a few days, I feel almost hysterical. I'm sure I won't want to go to sleep for a week.”
Frewen laughed as he looked at the flashed, beautiful face. “Well, I don't think you'll get too much sleep to-night, for the men are as much excited as any one aft, and I sent word that they can have a bit of fun and make as much noise as they like until eight bells, and drink your and your baby's health seven times.”
“Ah! my poor little baby. How cruel of me to forget her! Oh, please let me go for her.”
“You are too late,” said Frewen with a smile, “the mate has just gone, and he'll bring her to you before another hour has passed. He has taken your boy Lilo with him as pilot.”
Mrs. Marston sighed contentedly, and then looked round at the familiar cabin.
“Oh, how I shall love to see Samatau again, Captain Frewen, and oh! how wonderful it is that the Esmeralda of all ships should be the one to find me. If only Mrs. Raymond could know I was safe and on board talking to you of her!”
“She will indeed be yery happy; and yet, do you know, Mrs. Marston, that she always said you were not dead, although when month after month passed by, and a most careful search had been made of all the islands within a radius of six hundred miles, and no trace of the Lupetea was found, Mr. Raymond himself lost all hope.”
“How long was it before Mr. Raymond knew of what had occurred on board that night off Lotofanga?” she asked.