Brandon of the Engineers

Day broke in a blaze of fiery splendor, and the dripping launch dried.

The coast was near, the sea got smooth, and the tired men were glad of

the heat of the red sun. By and by the breeze died away, and the long

swell heaved in a glassy calm, glittering with silver and vivid blue.

When their clothes were dry they loosed and spread the awning, and a

pungent smell of olive oil and coffee floated about the boat as the

fireman cooked breakfast. After they had eaten, Dick moved a bag or two

of coal to trim the craft and sounded the tank, because a high-pressure

engine uses a large quantity of fresh water. Then he unrolled a chart and

measured the distance to their port while Jake looked over his shoulder.

"We ought to be in time," he said. "The advertisement merely stated that

the boat would sail to-day, but as she didn't leave the last port until

yesterday and she'd have some cargo to ship, it's unlikely that she'll

clear before noon."

"It might have been safer to telegraph, booking two berths. These little

boats don't often miss a chance of picking up a few dollars, and the

skipper would have waited."

"I thought about that; but the telegram would have shown what we were

after if Kenwardine has bribed somebody in the office, which is

possible."

"You seem convinced he has had an important part in these attacks on

merchant ships," Jake said thoughtfully.

"It's hard to doubt."

"The man's by way of being a friend of mine and took you into his house

when you were in some danger of bleeding to death. I'm not sure that he's

guilty, and now I've come with you, am going to see he gets fair play;

but if you can prove your charge, you may do what you like with him. I

think we'll let it go at that."

Dick nodded. "In the first place, we must make our port, and it's lucky

we'll have smooth water until the sea breeze gets up."

Telling the fireman he could go to sleep, he moved about the engine with

an oilcan and afterwards cleaned the fire. Then he lay on the counter

with his hand on the helm while the launch sped across the glassy sea,

leaving a long wake astern. The high coast ahead got clearer, but after a

time dark-blue lines began to streak the glistening water and puffs of

wind fanned the men's faces. The puffs were gratefully fresh and the heat

felt intolerable when they passed, but by and by they settled into a

steady draught and the dark lines joined, until the sea was all a glowing

ultramarine. Then small ripples splashed about the launch and Dick

glanced ahead.

"She's steaming well," he said as he listened to the steady snort of the

exhaust and humming of the cranks. "It's lucky, because there's some

weight in the wind."