Yet I have suffered
it, awaiting the moment to reassure you.
"Yes, ladies, be reassured! We depart indeed for Looe; but we hope,
ere dawn, to meet you at Lerryn and be rewarded with your approving
smiles. At nine-thirty precisely the three long-boats, _Naiad_,
_Nautilus_, and _Corona_, which have lain for some weeks under repair
in Mr. Runnells' yard, will pass this Quay and proceed seaward, each
manned by an able, if veteran, crew. After a brief trip outside the
harbour--to test their stanchness--they will return to the Quay to
embark passengers, and start at 2 a.m. on the excursion up the river
to our rendezvous at Lerryn. Nay!" the Major turned at the head of
the steps and lifted a hand--"I will accept of you no thanks but
this, that during the few arduous hours ahead of us we carry your
wishes, ladies, as a prosperous breeze behind our banners!"
"Now isn't he a perfect duck?" demanded Miss Sally Tregentil, turning
in the darkness and addressing Miss Pescod, whose strongly marked and
aquiline features she had recognised in the last far-flung ray of the
Major's lantern.
"My good Sarah! _You_ here?" answered Miss Pescod, divided between
surprise, disapproval and embarrassment.
"At such a period--a crisis, one might almost say--when the fate of
Europe . . . and after all, if it comes to that, so are you."
"For my part--" began Miss Pescod, and ended with a sigh.
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