After a little interval, the Sea Witch signalled back:
"Can't stop. What is your business?"
"Oh, quit that foolishness," groaned Mr. Cochran, wringing his hands. "Run alongside and speak her as soon as you can."
The tug swept round in a foaming arc, and came up on the lee side of the four-master, which was surging home like a race-horse. A long line of heads bobbed above the bulwark in the waist of the Sea Witch, and presently a slim young figure danced up the poop ladder and climbed on top of the cabin.
"That looks like him," cried Mr. Cochran, "but he was never as frisky as that in all his life."
The excited David thumped the magnate between the shoulders, and yelled:
"Of course it's Arthur. I can make him out as plain as daylight."
The tug sheered closer and closer at top speed, but she was rapidly dropping astern of the flying ship. The agile figure on the cabin roof caught up a speaking-trumpet and piped shrilly:
"Daddy, ahoy! It's me! How's mother?"