“Well, this business is quite in my way. I shall be glad to take you with me. But who are these?” he added, looking at Edgar’s companions.
“They are comrades, and might do good service if you will allow them to volunteer.”
“My crew is complete,” said the captain, doubtfully, “except, indeed, that my chief engineer is just dead, but none of your men look as if they could fill his shoes.”
“That is true, but I can fill them myself,” said Edgar, eagerly.
“Indeed!”
“Yes, I am an engineer by profession; my comrades are professional divers. We have been engaged on a wreck here for some time past.”
“Good,” said the captain; “are your dresses and apparatus at hand?”
“Some of them are.”
“Then bring them aboard at once. I leave in an hour. Just bring what you have handy. Lose no time. I will take your men also. They may be of use.”
Within an hour after the foregoing conversation Molly Machowl was left disconsolate in the pagoda under the care of Chok-foo, while the Rajah’s gun-boat was steaming out to sea with Edgar, Baldwin, Rooney, Maxwell, and Ram-stam added to her warlike crew.