“Better. The barometer has risen an inch in less than two hours. Possibly, nearness to the land has some effect, but wind and sea are subsiding.” “You surprise me; yet that is nothing. I have had several surprises to-night. What is the position? Of course, we must hit the South American continent sooner or later; can you fix an approximate time?” “We are making about six knots, I fancy. If we are lucky, and avoid any stray rocks, we should see daylight before we reach the coast. That is our sole hope. The ship is in a powerful tidal current, and it is high-water at 5.30 A.M. At a rough estimate, Hanover Island is twenty knots distant. Now you know all. The outcome is mere guesswork.” “Why did the furnaces blow up?” “I was cross-examining Joey on that point when you came in. He reserved his opinion. My own view is that, by accident or design, some explosive substance found its way into the coal.” “Shem, Ham and Japheth! Explosive substance! Do you mean dynamite, or gunpowder, or that sort of thing?” “Something of the kind. That is only a supposition, but when I whispered it to Walker he agreed.” “Walker! Is he the man who speaks so queerly?” “If ever you go to Newcastle, don’t put it that way. I told him to take Miss Maxwell to her cabin. Did he do so?” “Yes. I have not seen her since, so I assume that the bromide, plus the wine, was effective. Well, I must return to my patients. Can I get you anything? I am store-keeper, you know.” “No, thanks.” “Nothing to eat, or drink?” “Nothing. I shall be ready for a square meal when I am able to come below—not before.” Christobal smiled. Though he was a brave man, he thought such persistent optimism was out of place. Nevertheless, he could emulate Courtenay’s coolness. “Let me know when you are ready. I am an excellent cook,” he said. Then the captain of the _Kansas_ resumed his smoking and humming, with occasional glances at the clock, and the compass, and the barometer. At two o’clock he felt the ship slipping from under the wheel. The compass showed that she was heading a couple of points eastward. He helped her, and telephoned instantly to Walker: “Go forward and try if you can make out anything. Report to me here.” “Ay, ay, sir,” came the reply, and anon Walker appeared. “It’s main thick ahead, sir, but I think we-aw passin’ an island to port,” said he. “I thought so. You had better remain here, Walker. We have not long to wait now for the dawn, and four eyes are better than two.” Walker imagined that the skipper was ready for a chat. “Things are in a dweadful mess below, sir. I can’t make head or tail of the smash.” “Well, that must wait. Don’t talk. Keep a sharp lookout.”