"Lancaster, you know my three big passenger boats?"
"The Coronation, Grace à Dieu, and Gigantic? Yes, of course. I came from New York in the Gigantic once—did it in sixteen hours. Why, there's room for this yacht in her after-cabin."
"The Gigantic was in dock when Lyonesse was captured; but Admiral Rothschild tells me that she is afloat since yesterday, guarding the town against me. She is in charge of a naval officer, with orders to ram at sight."
"But you thrashed the Imperial Navy!"
"The Gigantic carries no explosives. So far as I see, I can't ram her, I can't blow her up, and she's so swift that I can't even run away. I've decided to set every man ashore who is not absolutely needed. Lancaster, you must go."
"Sir," answered Lancaster, hotly, "I'm here for the Queen, and I refuse to land."
"As you will."
A few minutes later the Mary Rose set all her idlers ashore in Devonshire. When she took flight again Brand and his captain returned to their seats in the conning-tower, and Lancaster stood behind them, with a life line to steady him during the coming fight. Together they watched the narrowing land beneath, as Cornwall tapered westward between the seas.
No clouds sailed in the clear sky to mask an attack.
"Wait for the night, sir," ventured Captain Simpson.