Under the action of the twin screws, the Titania, skilfully handled, ranged up alongside the diminutive schooner. In a very short space of time the crew of the latter with their scanty belongings stood on the Titania's deck.
They must have been a source of wonder to the neatly groomed and attired officers. They were all more or less in rags, and tanned almost to a deep red colour. Burgoyne, Mostyn, and Minalto all sported beards of different hues: red, blond, and black. Hilda, in her man's dress, bareheaded, and her growing locks nearly reaching her shoulders, was for the first time since leaving the secret base painfully conscious of her unorthodox appearance.
The Titania's skipper stepped forward to greet them, smartly saluting the girl.
"My name's Swayne," he announced. "This is my partner, Paddy O'Loghlin. Pleased to be of service to you."
"Thanks awfully," replied Burgoyne. "I've met you before. You were in the old Bolero in '18."
"I was," admitted Swayne, "but I can't recall your tally."
"Not in these whiskers," agreed Alwyn with a laugh, after he had introduced himself and his companions. "I was R.N. in those days. Our light cruiser was moored ahead of your packet in Dover Harbour."
"Good old days!" exclaimed Swayne whimsically. "Not that I've much to complain about as things go nowadays. We're bound from Nua Leha for Sydney. Will that suit?"
"Admirably," agreed Burgoyne.
"Your schooner," continued the skipper of the Titania. "Seems a pity to cast her adrift."