'We are going there; but come aboard all the same,' said a second voice.
Mrs. Casalle clutched Tom's arm convulsively, and he felt her figure tremble.
'Oh, Tom, that sounded so like my poor husband's voice! It's all your fault, you've frightened me so----'
'Ay, ay,' replied Herrendeen. 'I'll come aboard. Don't bring to.'
Pulling up alongside the vessel, which now had barely more than steerage way on her, owing to her being so close under the lee of the high land, Captain Herrendeen caught hold of a rope's end which was lowered to him at the main chains and swung himself aboard.
'Push off, Mr. Carey, and go ahead. You'll be in a good hour or more before this ship. Orders as before for Mr. Burr--heave short at daylight.'
The boat dropped astern, and the crew, bending to their oars, sent her skimming ahead, much to the disappointment of Tom, who, had there been time, would have followed the captain.
The moment Herrendeen was on deck he shook hands with a man who was evidently the captain.
'How do, captain? Say, you're in a bit close; there's an inshore set of current just here. The Comboy went ashore here in a calm; five boats couldn't tow her clear of the reef.'
'Much obliged to you, sir,' said the captain, who at once gave the necessary orders, and the ship was at once kept away from the land. She answered her helm so slowly, however, and her canvas hung so limp, that both Herrendeen and the strange skipper were alarmed as they looked at the land.