Mr. Wicker examined the charts and nodded. "Very well," he said, "so must it be," and Chris felt that his heartbeat would stifle him, it pounded so fast and thickly in his throat. All at once, looking up at the thoughtful face of his master, Chris longed to be able to stay safe at home. The imminent journey, so far and perhaps so perilous, seemed suddenly too much for him. Mr. Wicker had taken the river charts and rolled them up, and now turned to the Captain and first mate. "Captain Blizzard, and you, Mr. Finney," he said, "should water casks be seen going on board, the whole of Georgetown will know you mean to sail. I therefore ask you to so contrive it that the casks be hidden in bales or boxes so that they seem to be anything but what they are." He tapped the rolled charts thoughtfully on the palm of one hand. "Our only chance to steal a march on the _Venture_ will be to sail at least a day before her." The two men listening nodded in agreement. "There is one other thing. Your orders for where you are to anchor, once near China, will be secret, and carried on the person of this boy." He laid one hand on Chris's shoulder. "He has a task of utmost secrecy to carry out and will require your help, encouragement, and silence." Captain Blizzard and Mr. Finney looked solemnly at Chris who looked as solemnly back. [Illustration] "Not only that," Mr. Wicker went on, "but his presence on the ship must not be known until the _Mirabelle_ is well to sea." He glanced down meditatively at Chris. "I shall arrange to bring him aboard somehow, and give you your sailing orders later." He strode over to the window looking out to his gardens and the trees where the apples showed their russet cheeks. "Leave me these charts for yet a little while, and I shall ponder on our plans," said Mr. Wicker. He turned. "See that the water casks are taken on at once, Captain, and hidden, and make a place for Christopher, here," and at a beseeching look from Chris he added with a smile, "and Amos." No sooner were the Captain and Mr. Finney gone than Chris spoke up in great excitement. "Mr. Wicker, sir, I have a plan! May we look at the river charts again?" Master and pupil spread out the charts once more, and Chris pointed eagerly. "Look, sir! Here is the sandbar, and here"--he put his finger down--"the _Venture_. Or she was, yesterday. Now sir, the sandbar being just below and ahead of the _Venture_, once the _Mirabelle_ has slipped by, wouldn't it be too bad if something happened to make the _Venture_ drift with the tide and run aground?" He looked eagerly up into Mr. Wicker's face and saw in it the reflection of his own excitement. "There are times, Christopher," said Mr. Wicker with his eyes snapping, "when you surprise even me. But how is it to be done?" "Well, sir," began Chris, "it's a little tricky but I think, what with the things we know, it can be worked." He began outlining to his master the details of his plan. CHAPTER 18