H. Bedford-Jones

“ Where’s that woman passenger? Speak up, ye yellow imp! I told ye to place—hic!—to place her in my cabin—and—and she’s not there—”
“Tuan, she said there had been some mistake,” explained Tan Tock. “So I left her in the Sultan’s cabin, tuan.”
A volley of amazed oaths broke from the skipper. Stone, frowning in black anger, slid swiftly down the companion. There was something very strange in this passenger business, he reflected. Mickelson had probably lied out of sheer deviltry, about the woman; not about Captain Benbow, however. ”

“ But Stone held the Penang steadily in, and when the lagoon entrance loomed close, Mickelson appeared with word that all was ready.
“All right—take charge!” cried Stone, driving his voice to the second officer. “Tell your engineer to shut ’em off when we strike. Break out the skipper and take him ashore with you.” Mickelson nodded and departed. Stone turned to his two quartermasters.
“I’ll handle her now, boys. You go down and watch the hatches when we strike. When Tuan Mickelson gets all the boats away, open up the hatches, but keep the crowd aft. Go!” ”

“ Stone turned into the bridge-house, and found Miss Bretton talking with the two quartermasters, trying vainly to understand their lingo.
“Now, Miss Bretton,” said Stone as he went to the wheel, “you may do your share. If we pull through alive it will be a miracle, so pray for the miracle. Catch on, boys!”
The two Malays tailed on beside Stone, swung the bucking, frantic wheel around, and with it the head of the ship. Shrieking in every rivet, the old Penang began to quarter the seas and slowly drove toward the bar ”

“ He emerged with the ship’s papers and two revolvers, and visited his own cabin, also that of Mickelson. When at last he clawed his way forward to the bridge again he had four revolvers, plenty of cartridges, and a small but comprehensive supply of medicines. He found Tan Tock waiting outside the bridge-house with a crammed duffel-bag.
“Good boy, Tan Tock! I’ll take your bag inside. You go down to my cabin, get my bag, and fill it with stores from the Sultan’s private locker. No liquor—tinned goods. Savvy? Get out a case of his mineral water, too.” ”

“ They’re four miles from shore, up the lagoon; and they’re also ten miles from here. We can’t make the island in an hour, Mickelson, but we can make the bar, two miles from the island. I’ll run her nose into the bar, and you take a load of pilgrims to the island; then come back here and get the rest of us.”
“Lord! You’re a cool ’un!” ejaculated Mickelson admiringly. “You know damned well this sea will break her back in ten minutes—”
“Don’t swear. There’s a lady present,” snapped Stone. “Get the boats ready.”
Mickelson looked at Miss Bretton, and grinned suddenly. ”

“ He’s ambled off for another drink,” said Stone, when the pounding had ceased. “You’d better keep the door locked, in case he comes back. You’re determined to go on, of course; it stands out in your eyes. Who are you? Why are you here?” ”