“It is a matter of life and death. Carry out my instructions carefully and I shall be very grateful.”
“Yes, my lady.”
And the captain returned to the bridge.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
The sun had just risen above the horizon and through the haze could be seen a low lying shore which gleamed yellow in the distance. On the quarter-deck of the Esmeralda stood a group of men, and each held a pair of marine glasses to his eyes.
“Yes—that is Banana,” Captain Armstrong announced decisively.
The voyage had passed without untoward incident, but no one on board the cruiser had had an idle moment. The men above deck had been drilled, and some practise had been made with the guns. The leaders of the expedition had discussed every eventuality, and the next few days would prove whether they were to meet with success or failure.
The ship was slowed down to twelve knots, and the men were rapidly putting her into battle trim. Gaunt and Edward Drake watched them in silence, for now they had nothing to do save to realize that they were responsible for what might end in disaster.
At last they caught a glimpse of the mouth of the Congo, and the Esmeralda was turned directly towards the entrance of the river. Captain Armstrong joined them, and it was evident that he was in the highest spirits.
“There is only one thing that I wish; that we were flying the White Ensign,” he remarked.