CHAPTER XIII.
CAPTAIN SALT EFFECTS ONE SURPRISE AND PLANS TWO MORE.
On the sixth day after his departure Captain Salt returned to Dunkirk
unexpectedly.
He arrived about four in the afternoon and was rowed at once to the
Commodore's galley. He climbed on deck and looked about him. The
lieutenant stepped forward. Captain Salt shook hands and asked:
"Where is the Commodore?"
"In his cabin."
"Alone?"
"No; he is holding a council of war. All his captains are there."
Captain Salt whistled softly to himself.
"How long have they been sitting?" he asked.
"Less than ten minutes. In fact they have but just arrived."
"Thank you. I'll go down and look in."
"My friend," he said to himself, as he walked aft and descended the
ladder, "the chance has come sooner than you expected. You'll have
to play this game boldly."
He knocked at the cabin door and entered, with the dust of travel
thick upon him. He had ridden thirty-six miles since breakfast along
dusty roads and under a broiling sun. Nevertheless his manner was
cool enough as he bowed to all present.
"I must apologise, gentlemen, for the state of my clothes; but I
heard you were sitting and could not rest until I had saluted you."
They welcomed him heartily as he dropped into a vacant chair.
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