"We're not doing well in the middle of the gulf," I continued, casually.
"I am going to look for the land breezes tonight.""Bless my soul! Do you mean, sir, in the dark amongst the lot of all them islands and reefs and shoals?""Well--if there are any regular land breezes at all on this coast one must get close inshore to find them, mustn't one?""Bless my soul!" he exclaimed again under his breath.
All that afternoon he wore a dreamy, contemplative appearance which in him was a mark of perplexity.After dinner Iwent into my stateroom as if I meant to take some rest.
There we two bent our dark heads over a half-unrolled chart lying on my bed.
"There," I said."It's got to be Koh-ring.I've been looking at it ever since sunrise.It has got two hills and a low point.
It must be inhabited.And on the coast opposite there is what looks like the mouth of a biggish river--with some towns, no doubt, not far up.
It's the best chance for you that I can see.""Anything.Koh-ring let it be."
He looked thoughtfully at the chart as if surveying chances and distances from a lofty height--and following with his eyes his own figure wandering on the blank land of Cochin-China, and then passing off that piece of paper clean out of sight into uncharted regions.
And it was as if the ship had two captains to plan her course for her.
I had been so worried and restless running up and down that Ihad not had the patience to dress that day.I had remained in my sleeping suit, with straw slippers and a soft floppy hat.
The closeness of the heat in the gulf had been most oppressive, and the crew were used to seeing me wandering in that airy attire.
"She will clear the south point as she heads now," I whispered into his ear.
"Goodness only knows when, though, but certainly after dark.
I'll edge her in to half a mile, as far as I may be able to judge in the dark--""Be careful," he murmured, warningly--and I realized suddenly that all my future, the only future for which I was fit, would perhaps go irretrievably to pieces in any mishap to my first command.
I could not stop a moment longer in the room.I motioned him to get out of sight and made my way on the poop.That unplayful cub had the watch.
I walked up and down for a while thinking things out, then beckoned him over.
"Send a couple of hands to open the two quarter-deck ports,"I said, mildly.
He actually had the impudence, or else so forgot himself in his wonder at such an incomprehensible order, as to repeat:
"Open the quarter-deck ports! What for, sir?""The only reason you need concern yourself about is because I tell you to do so.Have them open wide and fastened properly."He reddened and went off, but I believe made some jeering remark to the carpenter as to the sensible practice of ventilating a ship's quarter-deck.I know he popped into the mate's cabin to impart the fact to him because the whiskers came on deck, as it were by chance, and stole glances at me from below--for signs of lunacy or drunkenness, I suppose.
A little before supper, feeling more restless than ever, I rejoined, for a moment, my second self.And to find him sitting so quietly was surprising, like something against nature, inhuman.
I developed my plan in a hurried whisper.
"I shall stand in as close as I dare and then put her round.
I will presently find means to smuggle you out of here into the sail locker, which communicates with the lobby.
But there is an opening, a sort of square for hauling the sails out, which gives straight on the quarter-deck and which is never closed in fine weather, so as to give air to the sails.
When the ship's way is deadened in stays and all the hands are aft at the main braces you will have a clear road to slip out and get overboard through the open quarter-deck port.
I've had them both fastened up.Use a rope's end to lower yourself into the water so as to avoid a splash--you know.
It could be heard and cause some beastly complication."He kept silent for a while, then whispered, "I understand.""I won't be there to see you go," I began with an effort.
"The rest...I only hope I have understood, too.""You have.From first to last"--and for the first time there seemed to be a faltering, something strained in his whisper.
He caught hold of my arm, but the ringing of the supper bell made me start.He didn't though; he only released his grip.
After supper I didn't come below again till well past eight o'clock.The faint, steady breeze was loaded with dew; and the wet, darkened sails held all there was of propelling power in it.
The night, clear and starry, sparkled darkly, and the opaque, lightless patches shifting slowly against the low stars were the drifting islets.On the port bow there was a big one more distant and shadowily imposing by the great space of sky it eclipsed.
On opening the door I had a back view of my very own self looking at a chart.
He had come out of the recess and was standing near the table.
"Quite dark enough," I whispered.
He stepped back and leaned against my bed with a level, quiet glance.
I sat on the couch.We had nothing to say to each other.
Over our heads the officer of the watch moved here and there.
Then I heard him move quickly.I knew what that meant.
He was ****** for the companion; and presently his voice was outside my door.
"We are drawing in pretty fast, sir.Land looks rather close.""Very well," I answered."I am coming on deck directly."I waited till he was gone out of the cuddy, then rose.My double moved too.
The time had come to exchange our last whispers, for neither of us was ever to hear each other's natural voice.
"Look here!" I opened a drawer and took out three sovereigns.
"Take this anyhow.I've got six and I'd give you the lot, only I must keep a little money to buy some fruit and vegetables for the crew from native boats as we go through Sunda Straits."He shook his head.
"Take it," I urged him, whispering desperately.
"No one can tell what--"
He smiled and slapped meaningly the only pocket of the sleeping jacket.