Half an hour later, as the Malolo, whose boats were towing astern, came in sight of Singavi Harbour and the Adventurer, Captain Herrendeen stepped up from below, with rather misty eyes, and spoke to Mr. Brooker and Henry Casalle, both of whom were at that moment talking over the exciting events of the past hour. That they should find Tom safe, and actually arrive at the island on the morning of the very day he was leaving it, was a strange and fortunate circumstance; but that their captain's wife should not only be alive and well, but have been rescued by the same ship which had afterwards picked up Tom and Maori Bill, was stranger still.
'How do you do, gentlemen?' said Herrendeen to the two officers, and shaking hands with them both. 'There's no need for me to ask which of you is Mr. Casalle--you and your brother are as alike as the two sheaves in a double block. I guess there's going to be a high old time aboard these two ships to-day.'
When within half a mile of the Adventurer, Captain Casalle, Mr. Wallis, Jack, and little Nita left the Malolo in one of her whaleboats, leaving Captain Herrendeen on board to pilot her in. As they drew near, they saw that Mr. Burr was heaving short and the hands loosing sails.
The boat drew up alongside, and Mr. Wallis--as had been arranged between him and Captain Casalle--first went up the side and met Mr. Burr at the gangway.
'I am Tom's father,' he said quickly; 'is he below?'
'Just having a cup of coffee,' answered the mate, shaking hands with the visitor. 'Come with me, sir.'
'One moment, please;' and then Mr. Wallis asked the mate if Mrs. Casalle was with him.
'No, she told me she was tired. I guess she's turned in.'
'All the better. Her husband is here with me, and we feared that the shock of seeing him so unexpectedly might be harmful to her. Will you send Tom on deck first?' Then, going to the gangway, he called to Jack and Captain Casalle to come up.
Mr. Burr descended into the cabin. Tom was seated at the table, drinking coffee with Solepa.