"Roddy and I shall have to take watch and watch."

"But suppose you're caught in a storm; suppose the engine breaks down
when you're over the sea--"

"My dear chap, if we fall into the sea we shan't hurt ourselves so
much as if it were land. I've got a couple of lifebuoys. If a storm
comes on, too bad to sail through, we must come down and wait till
it's over. Of course any accident may stop us, even a speck of grit in
the engine; but you're the last man in the world to be put off a thing
by any bogey of what-might-be, and I'm going to look at the bright
side. It's time I was off, so I'll take the things you've
brought--oh, I see Roddy has already shipped them, so I'll get
aboard."

"Well, I wish you all the luck in the world. Send me a wire when you
land, will you, so that I may know how you are getting on."

"If I have time. Good-bye, old man; many thanks."

They shook hands, and Smith was just about to jump into his seat when
there came the sound of galloping horses, and the incessant clanging
of a bell. Smith laughed.

"Your blaze has roused the Epsom Fire Brigade," he said with a
chuckle.

"Well, I thought I'd better make a big one to make sure of you,"
replied Barracombe.