“Please let us talk of something more useful. I have a little plan, and you might ask the captain if he approves of it. We have plenty of strong canvas; what do you say if I set to work and cover in the promenade deck, fore and aft as well as on both sides? Then, if the Indians try to seize the ship, they would not be able to gain a lodgment at so many points simultaneously. It would simplify the defense, so to speak.”
“Admirable! I am sure Courtenay will agree. Indeed, I am ashamed that we superior males failed to hit on the idea earlier. Before I go, let me be certain that my forgiveness is complete?”
“Shall we quarrel about a degree of blessedness? I assure you I like you more than ever. When all is said and done, you thought I was flinging myself at our excellent captain’s head, so you tried to spare me the pangs of unrequited love.” The words hurt, but she did not flinch. Christobal, anxious to deceive himself, was radiant.
“Your charity goes too far,” he cried. “That was not the exact reason. No, my dear Miss Maxwell, I begin to exercise a new-born discretion. I shall not elucidate that cryptic remark until after New Year’s Day. But I don’t mind telling you why I have hit on a definite date. If all goes well with us—and we have had so many escapes that Providence may well send us a few more—the Kansas should steam out of our little bay of Good Hope about that period. Then I shall remind you of our discussion, and keep my promise.”
With that he left her. After a gasp or two of surprise, for Elsie could read only one meaning into his words, she hurried up the bridge companion to arouse Mr. Boyle and ask what he would like for luncheon.
“Thank goodness, Joey,” she murmured to the dog, whom she picked up in her arms, “thank goodness, Mr. Boyle is neither an engaged man nor a widower. I do believe our excellent doctor is more concerned on his own account than on mine. And he said that your master’s manner ‘betokened a growing admiration.’ I wish—no, Joey, I mean nothing of the sort, and if you dare to hint at such a thing I shall be very angry with you—very—angry—indeed.”
“Huh,” muttered Boyle, wide awake and watching her through the open door, “some one has been worryin’ that girl. It’s a sure sign of trouble when a woman whispers in the ear of a dog or cat. Now, who can it be? That doctor chap? He cocked his eye at her this mornin’ when she spoke about Ventana. He’s a pretty tough old bird to think about settin’ up house with a nice young jenny wren. Damn his eyes! he may be as rich as a Jew, but if she doesn’t want him, an’ is too skeered to say so, I’ll tell him, in the right sort of Spanish, an’ all. Now, had it been the skipper—”
Boyle hardly knew what to think—“had it been the skipper.”
CHAPTER XII.
ENLIGHTENMENT
The captain was enthusiastic when he heard of Elsie’s idea for the protection of the main deck—“an excellent notion,” he termed it, but he scouted the suggestion that she should undertake the work herself.