Here and there the two men searched,
cursing, cannoning together, streaming with heat,
freezing with terror. News was bawled down to them
that the ship was indeed a man-of-war, that she was
close up, that she was lowering a boat; and still they
sought in vain. By what accident they missed the iron
box with the money and accounts is hard to fancy, but
they did. And the vital documents were found at last
in the pocket of Trent's shore-going coat, where he had
left them when last he came on board.
Wicks smiled for the first time that morning. "None
too soon," said he. "And now for it! Take these others
for me; I'm afraid I'll get them mixed if I keep both."
"What are they?" Carthew asked.
"They're the Kirkup and CURRENCY LASS papers," he
replied. "Pray God we need 'em again!"
"Boat's inside the lagoon, sir," hailed down Mac, who
sat by the skylight doing sentry while the others
worked.
"Time we were on deck, then, Mr. Goddedaal," said
Wicks.
As they turned to leave the cabin, the canary burst
into piercing song.
"My God!" cried Carthew, with a gulp, "we can't leave
that wretched bird to starve.
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