Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/295

Rh preparations made for hoisting her overboard. By the time this was done it was late in the afternoon, and almost time for us to be thinking about overcoming the distance which separated us from our destination. Exactly at four o'clock the telegraph on the bridge signalled "Go ahead!" and we were on our way once more. To tell the truth, I think we were so nervous that we were only too thankful to be moving again.

About dusk I was standing aft, leaning against the taffrail, when Beckenham came up and stood beside me. It was wonderful the difference these few months had made in him; he was as brown as a berry and as fine-looking a young fellow as any man could wish to see.

"We shall be picking up the island directly," I said as he came to an anchor alongside me. "Do you think you ought to run the risk of being shot tonight?"

"I have not thought of that," he said. "But I think it's my duty to do my best to help you and Mr. Wetherell."

"But what would your father say if he knew?"

"He would say that I only did what was right. I have just been writing to him, telling him everything. If anything should happen to me you will find the letter on your chest of drawers in your cabin. I know you will send it on to him. But if we both come out of it safely and rescue Miss Wetherell, I'm going to ask a favour of you."

"Granted before I know what it is?"

"It isn't a very great one. I want you to let me be your best man at your wedding."

"So you shall. And a better I could not possibly have."