McCoy looked shoreward, where the land was disappearing in the thickening haze.
“ I think it would be better to square away for Mangareva. With that breeze that is coming, you'll be there tomorrow evening.”
“ But what if the fire breaks out? It is liable to do it any moment.”
“ Have your boats ready in the falls. The same breeze will carry your boats to Mangareva if the ship burns out from under.”
Captain Davenport debated for a moment, and then McCoy heard the question he had not wanted to hear, but which he knew was surely coming.
“ I have no chart of Mangareva. On the general chart it is only a fly speck. I would not know where to look for the entrance into the lagoon. Will you come along and pilot her in for me?”
McCoy's serenity was unbroken.
“ Yes, Captain,” he said, with
