to
north-east-by-east, by which time it was pitch dark, starless, and
blowing strong, with a very awkward amount of sea running for such small
boats to battle with. Fortunately, Mildmay and the professor had with
them their diving-dresses and the electric lamps which formed part of
their equipment; they thus possessed the means of lighting up the cards
of the boat compasses, and so ensuring that they were steering the
correct course.

"According to my reckoning," said Mildmay, "we ought now to be on or
very near the track of the ship, and within about five miles of her, or
thereabout. If it were daylight I should expect to see her by this
time; as it is we must keep a look-out for her saloon lights. The
professor and I have all that we can do to keep the boats running
straight, so we shall have to depend upon you other fellows to look out.
Don't confine yourselves to looking straight ahead; keep a look-out
broad on each bow as well. My calculations are only approximate, you
must remember."

For the next ten minutes perfect silence reigned in the boats; for the
helmsmen were intently watching their compasses, while the others were
straining their eyes through the darkness in the hope of catching the
glimmer of light from the _Flying Fish's_ saloon ports; and, more than
once, one or another of them opened his lips to cry out that he saw
them, only to realise, the next instant, that he had been deceived by
the phosphorescent gleam of the head of a breaking sea.

At length, however, Lethbridge broke the tense silence with the joyous
cry of--

"Light ho! right ahead," at the same instant that Sir Reginald cried
out--

"I see her! there she is, straight ahead of us. Good shot, skipper!"

Yes; there she was, undoubtedly. When the boats topped a sea they could
just make out the four lights shining from the dining-saloon ports; and
another, somewhat farther forward, that was doubtless the light of Ida's
cabin. Sir Reginald seized his telephone, and rang up his wife to
encourage her with the news that the boats were close at hand, and ten
minutes later they dashed alongside.

The ship was lying broadside-on to the wind and sea, rising and falling
easily over the fast gathering swell, but scarcely rolling at all. Her
hull thus afforded a capital lee for the boats. Mildmay's boat was the
first to reach the foot of the gangway-ladder; and up it Sir Reginald
sprang at a single bound, as it seemed, closely followed