In less than five minutes Jack Stockton had joined his chum.
"Hulloa, Jack! How have they treated you?"
"Can't complain," was the laconic reply. "They told me you were all right in spite of a crack on the skull. Beyond that I didn't worry much, though I've been thinking about my poor old yacht."
"Yes, it's rough luck," replied Tregarthen. "But she's insured, isn't she?"
"Yes. But what does that matter? I shall never have the same craft again; and, Gerald, she was part and parcel of my existence."
"You'll have another one soon."
"Will I? How do you know?"
"Because they are going to ship you aboard the first vessel we meet."
"Ship me? How about you?"
"Ah! There's the difficulty. You will be sent home, but, worse luck, they are going to keep me here, whether I like it or not."