For the first time an emotion showed on the young man’s face.
“I told them feasting was unnecessary and quite ridiculous,” he said irritably. “We had nothing to celebrate but a broken rudder.”
“I will, of course, be only too glad to tell you all that occurred when we have more time,” Rodney said, “but at the moment there is much for me and my officers to do. I would be grateful, Senor, if you would return to your cabin and stay there.”
The Spaniard bowed and, passing through the after cabin, crossed to a small door on the other side. It was the fact that his sleeping cabin was through the aft cabin which had prevented the men who searched the ship from finding him the night before. The other cabins were empty and Rodney’s eyes lit up with pleasure when he saw the log-books, maps and cha
