“I know that quite well. Even I would have striven to help when my life was at stake. But the really wonderful thing is that you should have guessed an unknown track in the dark; that you should actually be able to guide a helpless ship through waters so full of dangers that it would be folly to venture in their midst in broad daylight and with full steam-power.”
Then Courtenay took off his sou’wester, and bowed.
“I had no idea I had such expert critics on board. Is it you, Christobal, who has followed the ship’s course so closely?”
“Not I, my dear fellow. Miss Maxwell is only saying what I feel, indeed, but could not have expressed as admirably. Our silent friend, Tollemache, is the man who observes. I was so amazed when I came on deck half an hour ago that I sought him out, and he told me something of the night’s later happenings. So I took the liberty of arousing Miss Maxwell from a very sound sleep, but we thought it best not to disturb you by appearing on the bridge until you had done everything you had planned.”
“I shall never understand how I came to fall asleep,” said Elsie. “I remember feeling very tired; I sat down for a moment, and that ended it. The next thing I heard was a rapping on my door, and Dr. Christobal’s voice bidding me hurry if I would see the entrance to the harbor.”
The two men exchanged glances. Courtenay laughed, so pleasantly that it was good to hear.
“Yet there was I up aloft, maneuvering the ship in the firm faith that Dr. Christobal was busy in the cook’s galley,” said he.
“Ah, we have news for you,” cried Elsie. “One of the poor fellows who was knocked on the head during that terrible fight for the boats was the master cook himself. He is better now, and breakfast can be ready in five minutes. I’ll go and tell him.”
She ran off, and Joey scampered by her side, for he knew quite well where the kitchen lay.
“Bromide is useful at times,” murmured Christobal, watching Elsie until she had disappeared. Then he turned to Courtenay.