Some hours later he was called by the Babu.

“Sahib, they say land is in sight at last.  I am indeed thankful.  To the landlubber the swell of waves causes nauseating upheaval.”

“’Tis good news indeed,” said Desmond, smiling.  “Come on deck with me.”

They went up together.  The vessel was bowling along under a brisk southwester, which he found had been blowing steadily almost from the moment he had left the helm.  The land was as yet but a dim line on the horizon; it was necessary to stand in much closer if any of the landmarks were to be recognized.  He took the wheel; the shade on the sea line gradually became more definite; and in the course of an hour they opened up a fort somewhat similar in appearance to that of Gheria.  All the ship’s company were now on deck, looking eagerly shorewards.

“Do you know the place?” asked Desmond of the Gujarati unconcernedly.

The man gazed at it intently for a minute or so.

“Yes, sahib; it is Suwarndrug,” he said.  “Is it not, Nanna?”

“Yes, of a truth; it is Suwarndrug; I was there a month ago,” replied the Maratha.

“What do you say, Gulam?” he continued, turning to one of the Biluchis standing near.

“It is Suwarndrug.  I have seen it scores of times.  No one can mistake Suwarndrug.  See, there is the hill; and there is the mango grove.  Oh, yes, certainly it is Suwarndrug.”

At this moment four grabs were seen beating out of the harbor.  Fuzl Khan uttered an exclamation; then, turning to Desmond, he said with a note of anxiety: 

“It is best to put about at once, sahib.  See the grabs!  They may be enemies.”

Desmond’s heart gave a jump; his pulse beat more quickly under the stress of a sudden inspiration.  He felt convinced that the fortress was not Suwarndrug; the Gujarati’s anxiety to pile up testimony to the contrary was almost sufficient in itself to prove that.  If not Suwarndrug, it was probably one of Angria’s strongholds, possibly Kulaba.  In that case the grabs now beating out were certainly the Pirate’s, and the men knew it.

Here was an opportunity, probably the only one that would occur, of grappling with the mutiny.  The crew would be torn by conflicting emotions; with the prospect of recapture by Angria their action would be paralyzed; if he could take advantage of their indecision he might yet gain the upper hand.  It was a risky venture; but the occasion was desperate.  He could afford for the present to neglect the distant grabs, for none of the vessels on the coast could match the Tremukji in speed, and bend all his energies upon the more serious danger on board.

“Surely it can not be Suwarndrug?” he said, with an appearance of composure that he was far from feeling.  “Suwarndrug, you remember, has been captured.  The last news at Gheria was that it was in the Company’s hands, though there was a rumor that it might be handed over to the Peshwa.  We should not now see Angria’s grabs coming out of Suwarndrug.  But if it is Suwarndrug, Fuzl Khan, why put about?  As fugitives from Gheria we should be assured of a welcome at Suwarndrug.  We should be as safe there as at Bombay.”