When Raxworthy, blinking in the strong sunlight, came up from below his temporary commanding officer shook him by the hand.
“Well done!” declared Maynebrace heartily. “Look here; have you any experience in sail other than in Service boats?”
“Yes, sir,” replied the midshipman.
“Of course,” continued the lieutenant-commander. “Didn’t you navigate a felucca across the Levant with only a long-haired chum to assist you?”
Raxworthy assented. He would have liked to point out that the lower-deck term hardly applied, since his companion on that occasion had bobbed hair.
“Very well, then,” continued Maynebrace. “I’m putting you in command of the prize, with six ratings to assist you. We’ll tow you within fifty miles or so of Hong Kong, and then you can take her into harbour. How will that suit?”
The midshipman’s eyes glistened.
“It’s awfully decent of you, sir,” was all that he could say. But it meant a lot more.
VIII
The destroyer sheered off, rehoisted her boats, and proceeded to take the captured junk in tow.