He was quick to perceive how seriously this new peril affected his
calculations. By the time the nine canoes he had counted were
alongside the ship, there might be dozens of others ready to help them.
He leaned over the rail.
"Did you test those flexible pipes this morning?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir, they-aw in fine condition," said Walker.
"Try them again, will you? I want to make sure. Our lives may depend
on them very soon."
He saw Suarez watching the oncoming canoes. By a touch on the shoulder
he called the man's attention to the smoke signal on Cape Templar. A
voluble and perfervid explanation in Spanish was useless. Here arose
the unforeseen need of an interpreter. Without troubling to analyze
his feelings, Courtenay was glad of the excuse which presented itself
of obtaining a momentary glimpse of Elsie.
"Bring the senorita," he said, and Elsie, wondering why she had been
summoned from the saloon, ran up the bridge companion. Her face was
aglow with excitement, her heart going pit-a-pat. She hoped that
Courtenay meant to keep her near him during the fight; she almost
doubted Christobal's statement that the captain had given specific
orders that she was to remain in the saloon.
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