"
It took some time for the information to penetrate Alphonse's skull.
When it did, he was all vivid alertness, staggered swiftly aft to the
gangway, and in rather less than five seconds, with no conspicuous
agility, had precipitated himself into Adolphe's arms. They rose,
clinging to one another, and both roared like bulls, while the
shrieking Tinker danced lightly round the deck.
Presently he recovered enough to throw them a rope, and they climbed on
board: no difficult feat, seeing that the deck was not two feet above
their heads. Before they thought of the yacht they went to the
forecastle and changed their wet clothes, while the dusk deepened.
Tinker went to the galley, and made tea. He had brought it to the
cabin, and he and Elsie were making a well-earned and hearty meal, and
discoursing with gusto of their blood-dyed career during the afternoon,
when Alphonse, very sad and glum, came and told them that the yacht was
aground, and Adolphe was getting up full steam to get her off. Tinker
with great readiness said he would come up and help.
In half an hour he heard the rattle of the propeller, and, coming on
deck, said he would go to the bows while Alphonse took the wheel, and
Adolphe worked the engines.
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