“It will cost nothing, captain.”
To the men I said:
“Fifty pounds apiece, my lads, if you track that steamer to port.”
They answered me with a ringing cheer and were at their places in an instant. White Wings began to race through the water with all the power of the great engines which drove her. I heard a second signal gun fired ashore, but could attach no meaning to it. There was no other light upon our horizon than that of the red loom of flame which betrayed the gunboat’s course. She was our goal—and yet not she alone. The ocean had her secrets to reveal. I did not believe that she could hide them from me now.
“We have the legs of her, Captain Larry?” I asked him presently.
“Undoubtedly, sir.”
“And we will be up with her in half an hour?”
“In a quarter if we hold this speed. Mr. Benson is showing off a bit, you see.”
“Captain Larry,” I said, “they have arms aboard for certain, and I will risk the life of no man who came to serve me in ignorance of this. Let Mr. Benson be a little more discreet. We will keep out of gunshot, if you please.”
“I understand you, sir. And none too early.”