"Are you goin' ashore at once, sir?" he inquired.

"Yes, the sooner the better, or the Government Offices will be closed
for the day."

"Mr. Royson," shouted Stump, "pipe the crew of the jolly-boat, an'
lower away."

"An Arab boat will be much speedier and more roomy," broke in Mrs.
Haxton, quick to observe that von Kerber was not paying heed to the
captain's preparations.

"You can land in one of those weird-looking craft If you like," said
Irene, "but I am sure Mr. Fenshawe and I would prefer our own state
barge. It is much more dignified, too, and I really think we ought to
impress the natives. Don't you agree with me, Baron von Kerber?"

There was nothing more to be said. The boat was lowered so smartly that
Dick was seated at the tiller, and four ash blades were driving her
rapidly shoreward, before the leading crew of panting Somalis reached
the ship's side. They secured two passengers, however. Mrs. Haxton, who
had declined a seat in the jolly-boat on the score of the intense heat,
changed her mind, and the captain elected to go with her.

"I want to cable my missus," he announced, "an' Massowah is likely to
be our last port for some time. If she don't hear from me once a month,
she frets. That's where Tagg has the pull. He's an orfin."

Mrs. Haxton smiled delightedly. She was watching the distant jolly-
boat, and something seemed to please her.