“Aren’t her stokers having a time!” uttered Wally, as the smoke poured from her. “It’s going to take her all she knows to get away from that cruiser of ours.” He was unfastening Norah’s life-belt as he spoke, while Jim removed Mr. Linton’s. “Are you all right, Nor?”
“Oh, yes,” said Norah, turning a strained, white face. She looked up at Jim, and met his eyes, smiling at her. “It’s—it’s a bit of relief, isn’t it?”
Every one was trying to speak calmly, although, now that the long tension had been so suddenly relaxed, there was more appearance of emotion than in the moment of greatest danger. Two or three women had become hysterical, and the stewardesses and doctor were busy reducing them to common-sense. Mrs. Edwards had not spoken at all since the megaphone had cried their reprieve from the bridge. She rose after awhile and slipped away.
The British cruiser was coming up astern, at full speed. Already they could see the grey hull, business-like and determined.
“I expect we’ll signal to her as soon as the enemy is a bit further away,” Jim said. “I hope to goodness we’re going to see the fight!”
“Will there be a fight?” Norah asked, excitedly.
“Why I should think so. She isn’t out for her health,” Jim answered. “It will be a heartsome sight if she sinks the German, won’t it—and great Scott, how annoying it will be for Mr. Smith!”
“Whew-w!” Wally whistled. “I clean forgot our friend Smithy!”
“I doubt if he’s as happy now as he was on the Perseus,” said Jim, laughing. “That British ship is a flyer and no mistake. Nor, old girl, why don’t you go and get out of six or eight of those coats before the fun begins? You can’t wear them all day.”
“No, nor this hat,” said Norah, who was dressed for emergencies. “I’ll hurry back.”