“I’ll try not to hinder you long,” called up Joe, showing his face in the hatchway. “I think I can soon get the engine fixed.”
“Use all the speed you can, Joe, but do it well, whatever has to be done,” Tom answered. Then he made his way aft to report to Judge Swan that the engineer had said he hoped the motor would soon be in order again.
“Are there any books aboard?” his honor wanted to know.
“There’s a book-shelf in the cabin, sir.”
Judge Swan disappeared into the cabin. The next time Halstead looked aft he saw the judge snug in one of the armchairs, reading.
The place was ideal for such a breakdown. The “Meteor” lay almost motionless upon the smooth sea, miles from land, with no troublesome reefs near. Under the awnings it was delightfully cool.
For an hour Joe remained in the motor room, neither Tom nor Jed bothering him with their presence. Then Tom went aft to see if their guest was comfortable. Judge Swan looked up with a pleasant smile.
“If I didn’t have that session of court on hand, captain, I wouldn’t mind if this break lasted all day.”
“It wouldn’t be bad,” the young skipper assented. “We have a good larder and a fine young cook aboard.”
“How serious is the break?” inquired his honor.
“Why, Dawson reports that he hopes very soon to be under way again.”
“I hope he won’t hurry enough to interfere with thorough repair,” pursued Judge Swan.
When Tom went forward again it occurred to him to take a look down into the engine room. The sight that met his gaze was a surprising one. Joe was lying on his back on one of the lockers, the first time he had ever been asleep at his post!
The time dragged on slowly. His honor, being wholly comfortable and well occupied where he was, didn’t come forward to ask any questions.
“There’s the forenoon boat coming,” whispered Jed, at last.
“Confound it,” muttered Tom. “I wish I had thought to keep better out of her track.”
The passenger steamer soon signaled. Tom answered on the auto whistle.
Then the passenger steamer ran in closer to the motor boat. The captain of the steamer, standing before the pilot house, megaphone in hand, called over the waters:
“Only a temporary break in the engine,” Tom answered, through his megaphone.
“Do you wish to transfer any passengers?”