He was alone when the music of the chains in the hawse-pipes
sounded in his ears. The _Kansas_ had plenty of room to swing, but he
thought it best to moor her. Believing implicitly now that he would
yet bring his vessel into the Thames, he allowed her to be carried
round by the fast-flowing tide until her nose pointed seaward, and she
lay in the comparatively still water inshore. Then he dropped the
second anchor and stepped forth from the chart-house. His long vigil
was ended. Some of the cloud of care lifted from his face, and he
called cheerily to Joey.
"Come along, pup," he said. "Let us sample Dr. Christobal's cookery.
You have shared my watch; now you shall share my breakfast. We have
both earned it."
It was in his mind to knock loudly on Elsie's door and awaken her;
therefore he was dimly conscious of a feeling of disappointment when he
saw her, in company with Christobal, leaning over the rail of the
promenade deck, and evidently discussing the weird beauty of the scene
spread before her wondering eyes.
The ship was now so sheltered by the shoulder of the southern cape that
the keen breeze yet rushing in from the sea passed hundreds of feet
above her masts.
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