“The United States Cruiser ‘Sitka,’” came the answering hail.
The shrill notes of a boatswain’s pipe on board the war-ship, followed by a deep throated call and a hurry of shod feet, came distinctly across the water.
The “Talofa” forged slowly ahead. Her bow was swung to port as she nosed her way into the inner harbor.
“Let go the anchor,” Captain Scott cried out disgustedly, and as the chain rattled out, he quietly walked forward and directed the sailor tending it to “haul to and secure.” Then he called in Stump, still sitting inert on the bowsprit end.
“A nice mess you’ve made of it,” he said through shut jaws. Stump crawled in slowly, stopping just out of arm’s reach. As agile as a cat, Captain Scott suddenly cleared the distance and his strong hand seized the shrinking mate by the scruff of the neck. He shook him until his bones rattled.
“Out with it,” he exclaimed. His voice to Stump had the tone of rusty files. “How did it happen? What did you do to the compass?”
Stump saw no avenue of escape. The uncanniness of Captain Scott’s intuition awed him to his resolve for truthfulness.
“A boat’s alongside,” Stump sputtered as his shifting and terrified gaze caught sight of a shadowy form in the water making the side of the schooner. The diversion was timely for the trembling Stump. Captain Scott released his hold, but the guilty mate, off his guard, received the full force of Captain Scott’s iron fist squarely under the jaws. His body bent limply backward and fell heavily upon the deck, where it lay motionless, while Captain Scott strolled unconcernedly aft to receive his visitors.
CHAPTER V
THE “TALOFA” IN UKULA
After dinner all the officers of the “Sitka,” as was the custom, took chairs upon the quarter-deck. Phil and Sydney, having finished their unpacking, had joined the circle. The subject of conversation was the course of local events. All looked forward with ill concealed delight at the prospects of active service.