Shadowed from observation by the thick butt of the after-mast, I wrote a few lines hastily on the back of an envelope, thrust it into my pocket, and ventured up the companion stairs.

Reaching the top, and stealing to one side out of the dim range light, I took hasty survey of the deck.

It was a dark night, although a few stars were visible, and the _Sea Gull_ was steaming slowly through a fairly rough sea, pounding against her port quarter.

Little twinkles of light were visible off the port side, so numerous as to make me suspicion land, while a narrow strip of moon, barely exposed beneath an edge of cloud, convinced me our course was almost directly east.

This was strange if the boat's destination was Spanish Honduras, and the Captain was, as he contended, desirous of making a swift passage.