“Yes, sir.”
“Which young lady was it?”
Faraday turned and indicated the owner of the bracelet, who was walking aft with her companion.
“Jove! I don’t blame the young rascal,” muttered the first lieutenant. “She’s a beauty.”
Extending his hand, he added, aloud:
“It was a gallant act, Mr. Faraday, and it does you credit, but it probably would have been better if you had left the job to one of those boy divers. I will return the bracelet to the young lady.”
But Clif hung back.
“Want the pleasure yourself, eh?” laughed Lieutenant Watson. “Well, you deserve it.”
That was Clif’s opinion also, and he lost no time in claiming his reward. He did not present a very prepossessing appearance in his dripping uniform, but he held his head jauntily and advanced to meet the girl.
His fear that she spoke only Portuguese was speedily dissipated. Extending her hands impulsively, she exclaimed, with an accent which added to the charm of her silvery voice: