"Now that's settled," went on the Captain, "you had better go aboard her and make preparations for coaling and victualling."
"Very good, sir," answered Mr. Dykes in a spiritless voice, and departed in deep dudgeon. Had the Captain shown any inclination to listen to his advice, he would have suggested leaving the prisoners on the island under a strong guard, till the British authorities were informed and could send a vessel to take them away. However, to argue with Calamity would be about as cheerful a job as trying experiments with a live shell, and so the mate wisely accepted his burden with what fortitude he could muster.
Having acquainted himself with what resources the one-time German colony possessed, Calamity returned to the Hawk. He was anxious to consult McPhulach concerning the repairs to the engines and other parts of the ship which had suffered from the fort's guns on the preceding night. There was to be explained, also, the mystery of the engineer's presence in the fort, when, according to orders, he should have been in the engine-room of the Hawk.
"Where is Mr. McPhulach?" asked the Captain as soon as he stepped on board.
"In his cabin, sir," answered one of the men.
"Then go and fetch him—no, stay though, I'll go to him myself," and Calamity made his way to the engineer's abode.
"Wha's there?" inquired a feeble voice in answer to the Captain's knock.
Calamity, instead of answering, opened the door and stepped in. The cabin was darkened by having the curtains drawn across the ports, but he could make out the figure of McPhulach propped up in his bunk with the aid of a battered leather bag and a pillow. The engineer presented a sorry spectacle; his head was enveloped in a wet towel, and on a locker by his side stood a cup of tea and a half-eaten slice of dry toast.
"How are you?" inquired the Captain, drawing the curtains apart to admit the daylight.
"I'm no verra weel, an' I thank ye," replied McPhulach, still in a feeble voice. "Ma heid is like a footba' filled wi' lead."