much.[Pg 63] Besides, you'd be forced to keep steam up in case she dragged; it's bad holding ground." [Pg 63] There was silence for a few moments, and then the captain made a sign of surly acquiescence. "Very well; we won't argue about the bonus. Give me the check." "I think we'll wait until the cases are transhipped," Walthew said with a smile. "Give them steam for the winch, Mr. James," the captain ordered; and the engineer slouched away. The winch began to rattle and an hour or two later Grahame went up to the bridge while the anchor was broken out. When the men were stowing it the engines throbbed and the Miranda turned her head toward open water. In another half hour the propeller stopped and the captain turned to his guests with a grin as the Enchantress's gig came alongside. "I expect the dagoes you're shipping those rifles for will find you hard to beat," he said. [Pg 64] [Pg 64] CHAPTER VII MANGROVE CREEK MANGROVE CREEK There was not a ripple on the sea when the Enchantress, steaming slowly, closed with the coast. The glittering water broke with a drowsy murmur at her bows and turned from silver to a deep blue in the shadow of the hull; her wake was marked by silky whirls on the back of the swell. It was four o'clock in the afternoon, the sea flung back a dazzling light, and Grahame's eyes ached as he searched the approaching land with his glasses. Far back, blue mountains loomed through haze and the foreground was blurred and dim. One could not tell where the low expanse began or ended, though a broad, dark fringe, which Grahame knew was forest, conveyed some idea of distance. In one or two spots, a streak of white indicated surf upon a point, but the picture was flooded with a glare in which separate objects lost distinctness. Blue and gray and silver melted into one another without form or salient line. Grahame put down the glasses and turned to the seaman near him. Miguel was getting old, but his tall figure was strong, and he stood, finely posed, with a brown hand on the wheel. His face was rugged,
Prev.
Back
Top