“I think it will be rather fun,” said Norah. “Whose boat are we in?”
“You’re in the second boat, under the doctor,” replied the captain. “I shall look to you to aid him, as first mate—with full authority from me to keep Wally in order, and put him in irons if necessary.”
“What have I done?” asked Wally plaintively.
“That’s very satisfactory,” said Norah, laughing, and not heeding the victim. “Captain, if we had to take to the boats in earnest, what luggage could we have with us?”
“H’m,” said the captain, reflectively. “Luggage is a wide term, and it would entirely depend upon the Germans—they might let people take a good deal or nothing at all. I wouldn’t have any say in the matter. There is plenty of room, of course, with so few passengers. I should recommend you to have a small suit-case with valuables and necessaries, and as many rugs and coats as you could carry, separately.”
“Would it be wise to have a suit-case ready packed?”
The captain laughed.
“Well, I don’t suppose for a moment that the Germans are going to get us, Miss Norah,” he said. “Don’t you worry your little head about them. We take precautions, of course, because that’s common-sense, but they need not make any one nervous. A lot of passengers on the way out kept their valuables packed in readiness, and it may have acted as a kind of insurance against trouble, for the enemy didn’t get us—and they were near enough. Just please yourself, and don’t get anxious.”
“Why, I don’t suppose they would hurt the passengers, in any case,” said Mr. Linton. “War isn’t piracy, captain.”
“No; not with decent people. And so far the Germans at sea have been exceedingly decent,” the captain answered. “The Emden has done plenty of damage, but not to people; her captain must be a very good sort, judging by the way he has acted towards British who fell into his hands. No; there might be a certain amount of discomfort, of course, but no danger. Do you like queer experiences, Miss Norah?”