But inwardly she did not know whether she was on her head or her heels. Were they really going to let her escape? Weren’t they just tantalising her, meaning to stop her at the last moment? Were they handing her over to strangers, who had come to hang her for murder? Was her mother perhaps on that steamer, come to save her? But she loved Jonsen and Otto: how could she bear to part with them? The dear, familiar schooner.... All these thoughts in her head at once! But she dealt firmly enough with the Liddlies: ‘Come on!’ she said. ‘We’re going on that steamer.’ ‘Are _we_ to do the fighting?’ Edward asked, timorously enough. ‘There isn’t going to be any fighting,’ said Emily. ‘Will there be another circus?’ asked Laura. Then she told them they were to change ships again. When Captain Jonsen came back, mopping the sweat from his polished forehead with a big cotton handkerchief, he seemed in a terrible hurry. As for the children, they were so excited they were ready to tumble into the boat: in such a flurry they nearly tumbled into the sea instead. _Now_ they knew why they had been washed and combed. It did not seem at first as if there was going to be any difficulty about getting them started. But it was Rachel who began the break-away. ‘My babies! My babies!’ she shrieked, and began running all over the ship, routing out bits of rag, fuzzy rope-ends, paint-pots ... her arms were soon full. ‘Here, you can’t take all that junk!’ dissuaded Otto. ‘Oh but my darlings, I can’t leave you behind!’ cried Rachel piteously. Out rushed the cook, just in time to retrieve his ladle--and a battle-royal began. Naturally, Jonsen was on tenterhooks to be gone. But it was essential they should part on good terms. José was lifting Laura over the side. ‘_Darling_ José!’ she burst out suddenly, and twined her arms tightly round his neck. At that Harry and Edward, who were already in the boat, scrambled back on deck. They had forgotten to say good-bye. And so each child said good-bye to each pirate, kissing him and lavishing endearments on him. ‘Go on! Go on!’ muttered Jonsen impatiently. Emily flung herself in his arms, sobbing as if her heart would break. ‘Don’t make me go!’ she begged. ‘Let me stay with you always, always!’ She clung tight to the lapels of his coat, hiding her face in his chest: ‘Oh, I _don’t_ want to go!’ Jonsen was strangely moved: for a moment, almost toyed with the idea. But the others were already in the boat. ‘Come on!’ said Otto, ‘or they’ll go without you!’ ‘Wait! Wait!’ shrieked Emily, and was over the side and in the boat in a flash. Jonsen shook his head confusedly. For this last time, she had him puzzled. But now, as they rowed across to the steamer, all the children stood up in the boat, in danger of tumbling out, and cried: ‘Good-bye! Good-bye!’ ‘Adios!’ cried the pirates, waving sentimental hands, and guffawing secretly to each other. ‘C-c-come and see us in England!’ came Edward’s clear treble.