"Hurrah, my boys, we're outward bound."
Captain Thrasher chanced to catch a glimpse of the lad with the radiant face, who was leaning over the rail of the deck below him. With a kindly impulse, he sent a boy to call David to the bridge.
"You can see them a little better here," said the captain. "I take it that you're pretty sorry to leave those shipmates of yours. Did you want to go with them?"
The young able seaman stood very straight, and his square jaw was firm-set, as he replied:
"Yes, sir. But I decided to stay with you."
The captain of the liner understood the boy's struggle. He made no comment, but said to one of his officers:
"Tell the quartermaster to sheer a little closer to that ship. I may want to speak her."
David looked his gratitude, and was on edge with excitement, as he gazed down at the white deck of the Sea Witch, and wondered if his voice could carry that far. Perhaps he might hear Margaret call to him. She had seen him go to the bridge. Her face was upturned, and she had picked up a speaking-trumpet.
