Just as the Polarity altered her course, a tall, broadshouldered man of about thirty years of age sprang up the bridge ladder.
"Why are you starboarding your helm, Captain Stormleigh?" he asked, with a tinge of anxiety in his voice. "Not another breakdown, I trust?"
"No, sir," replied the skipper. "We've just sighted some wreckage, and we're standing in a bit to see what it actually is."
"But we really cannot afford the time; every moment is of vital importance," expostulated the new arrival.
Captain Stormleigh drew himself up to the full extent of his five feet two inches.
"Excuse me, sir," he said, "but I am in charge of this ship. Of that there can be no question. I fully admit that I am in your employ, but upon my judgment depends everything connected with her navigation. My contract is to take the Polarity to Desolation Inlet in Nova Cania with the utmost dispatch, and subject to the exigencies of navigation. This, Mr. Ranworth, is one of the exigencies; therefore I have given orders for the ship's course to be changed."
For a few moments John Ranworth and Captain Stormleigh eyed each other in silence, each trying to gauge the mental strength of the other.
Finally Ranworth's features relaxed into a smile.
"Pardon, Captain!" he exclaimed. "I think I quite understand our relative positions now. I totally withdraw my objections."
John Ranworth had reason to be impatient, for, as he had stated, every moment was precious.