He wondered why there was a ship in this barren and uninhabited part of the country and it seemed to him not only strange but perhaps dangerous.
He quickened his pace.
Even so, he still had a long way to go.
He was feeling very hot when he eventually came near enough to see the mast of The Mermaid.
Immediately behind it was the funnel of a much larger ship.
Now he was really worried.
He broke into a trot.
He was almost certain from the markings on the funnel that this ship was Russian.
Before he left he had told the Captain where he was going and he had suggested,
“I think that’s a good idea, Your Grace, and as the men are anxious to have a swim, I’m allowing the majority of them to go a little way up the coast.”
“I am sure they will enjoy it,” the Duke had replied. “I will very
