Smith and Rodier stepped on deck, and were instantly surrounded by a group of the officers and crew.

“Get for’ard,” shouted the captain to the men.  “D’you want to see a blaze?”

He was left with the first mate.

“I’m in a pretty fix, sir,” he said, after a rapid glance at Smith.  “We drifted south and southeast after the storm, then lay becalmed for a day or two; yesterday an east wind sprang up and carried us northward.”

“What are your bearings?” asked Smith.  “I’m in the Navy.”

“You don’t say so, sir!  Yesterday’s observations gave us latitude nine degrees forty-seven minutes south and longitude ninety-four degrees thirty-two minutes east.”

“Well, look here, the best thing I can do is to run for a port and send you help.”

“I’d take it very kind if you would, sir.  I was thinking of sending my daughter off in the boat to-morrow with a few men; but we’ve managed to keep the fire under so far, and if there’s a chance of getting help within a day, say, perhaps we can keep all together.  It’s terribly risky in these seas in an open boat.”

“Well, I’ll set a course for Penang—­”

“Port Blair’s nearer, sir, in South Andaman.”

“But I’m more likely to find a fast steamer at Penang.  And as to your daughter, captain, she’d better come along with us.”

“In that what-you-may-call-it, sir?”

“Yes, certainly.  We can easily carry her, and make a comfortable seat for her behind ours if you give us a cushion.  We’ve come from London, so she needn’t be afraid.”

“From London!  Near seven thousand miles!  Jigger me if ever I heard the like of it!  What do you think of that, Mr. McWhirter?”

“Rather a long un,” replied the mate.

“Well, hang me, if you’ve come across the Bay of Bengal, you’re sartin sure to be able to make Penang.  She shall go with you, and that’ll be one load off my mind.  Go and fetch her, Mr. McWhirter.  She’s rather a superior gal, sir, though I say it myself.  She’s had a rattling good eddication; talks French like a native, and as for music and singing, I’ve never heard any gal as could touch her, that’s a fact.  Here she is.”

Smith was not sorry that the outflow of paternal pride was checked.  He wanted to get on.  A girl of about twenty came forward with the mate.  She was very self-possessed, and met Smith’s look frankly.

“My daughter, Mr. ——.  I don’t know your name, sir,” said the captain.

“My name’s Smith.”  He doffed his cap.

“Now, Margy, my girl, Mr. Smith, who’s in the Navy, is going to be so kind as to take you in his what-you-may-call-it to Penang, and send a steamer to take us off or tow us in, as the case may be.”

The girl looked startled, glancing from Smith to the aeroplane, and then at her father.

“I think I’d rather stay with you, Father,” she said quietly.

“And I’d rather you didn’t,” he said bluntly.  “You don’t know the risk as I do, my gal,” he added kindly.  “The blessed ship may blaze at any moment.”