“By Jove!” said Jack, “she’s a fine one. Looks like the Czar’s yacht, but no Russian vessel I know of can make that speed.”
“She’s got the ear-marks of Thornycroft build about her,” commented Drummond. “By Jove, Jack, what luck if she should prove to be English. No flag flying, though.”
“She’s heading for us,” said Jack, “and apparently she knows which side the cannon is on. If she’s Russian, they’ve taken it for granted we’ve captured the whole place, and are in command of the guns. There, she’s turning.”
The steamer was abreast of the rock, and perhaps three miles distant. Now she swept a long, graceful curve westward and drew up about half a mile east of the rock.
“Jove, I wish I’d a pair of good glasses,” said Drummond. “They’re lowering a boat.”
Jack showed more Highland excitement than Russian stolidity, as he watched the oncoming of a small boat, beautifully riding the waves, and masterfully rowed by sailors who understood the art. Drummond stood imperturbable as a statue.
“The sweep of those oars is English, Jack, my boy.”
As the boat came nearer and nearer Jack became more and more agitated.
“I say, Alan, focus your eyes on that man at the rudder. I think my sight’s failing me. Look closely. Did you ever see him before?”
“Why, he looks to me like my jovial and venerable father-in-law, Captain Kempt, of Bar Harbor. Perfectly absurd, of course: it can’t be.”
“He does resemble the Captain, but I only saw him once or twice.”
“Hooray, Captain Kempt, how are you?” shouted Jack across the waters.
The Captain raised his right hand and waved it, but made no attempt to cover the distance with his voice. Jack ran pell-mell down the steps, and Drummond followed in more leisurely fashion. The boat swung round to the landing, and Captain Kempt cried cordially:
“Hello, Prince, how are you? And that’s Lieutenant Drummond, isn’t it? Last time I had the pleasure of seeing you, Drummond, was that night of the ball.”
“Yes,” said Drummond. “I was very glad to see you then, but a hundred times happier to see you to-day.”
“I was just cruising round these waters in my yacht, and I thought I’d take a look at this rock you tried to obliterate. I don’t see any perceptible damage done, but what can you expect from British marksmanship?”