CHAPTER XX.

       In Which It Will Be Seen To What Dangers Men Are Exposed Who Use Capt. Boyton’s Nautical Apparatus.

       Table of Contents

      Three hours later the first pale rays of dawn were faintly defined on the horizon, and day soon appeared, and the sea could be seen in all its extent.

      The junk was no longer visible, having quickly outdistanced the aquatic voyagers, who could not compete with her in speed. They followed the same route to the west, being driven by the same wind; but the “Sam-Yep” must now be more than three leagues off: therefore there was nothing to be feared from those who commanded her.

      But this danger being avoided did not render the situation less grave. Indeed, the sea was deserted: there was not a ship nor a fishing-boat in sight, and no appearance of land at the north or east, and nothing which indicated the proximity of a coast. Were these the waters of the Gulf of Pe-che-lee, or of the Yellow Sea? On this point there was no certainty.

      A few puffs of wind still stirred the surface of the waters, and they must not lose them. The direction which the junk followed proved that land would come in sight in the west sooner or later, and that there it should be sought.

      The aquatic voyagers then decided to set sail again, after having taken refreshments; for their stomachs claimed their due, and a ten-hours’ voyage, such as they had made, rendered them imperative.

      “Let us breakfast,” said Craig.

      “Plentifully,” added Fry.

      Kin-Fo made a sign of assent, and Soun expressive movements of the jaws, whose meaning was unmistakable. The famished man no longer thought about the danger of being himself devoured: quite the contrary.

      The water-proof bag was then opened; and Fry took out several articles of food of excellent quality, such as bread and preserves, and also some utensils for the table, and whatever was necessary to appease hunger and thirst.

      Of the hundred dishes which figure in the ordinary menu of a Chinese dinner, there lacked ninety-eight, to be sure; but still there was enough to refresh these four men, who under these circumstances would not be hard to please. They ate a hearty breakfast. The bag contained two days’ provisions, and they would reach land in two days or never.

      “But we feel hopeful,” said Craig.

      “Why do you feel hopeful?” asked Kin-Fo in a slightly ironical tone.

      “Because luck is returning to us,” answered Fry.

      “Ah! you think so?”

      “Certainly,” answered Craig. “Our greatest danger was the junk, and we have succeeded in getting out of the way of it.”

      “Never, sir, since we have had the honor of being attached to your person, have you been safer than here,” added Fry.

      “All the Tai-pings in the world”—said Craig.

      “Could not reach you,” said Fry.

      “And you float beautifully”—added Craig.

      “For a man who weighs two hundred thousand dollars!” added Fry.

      Kin-Fo could not help laughing.

      “If I float,” he replied, “I owe it to you, gentlemen; for, without your aid, I should now be where poor Capt. Yin is.”

      “And we also!” replied Fry-Craig.

      “And I—and I!” cried Soun, swallowing an enormous piece of bread with a good deal of effort.

      “No matter,” resumed Kin-Fo: “I know what I owe you.”

      “You owe us nothing,” answered Fry, “because you are a patron of the Centenary”—

      “Life-Insurance Company”—

      “Capital guaranteed: twenty million dollars.”

      “And we hope”—

      “That it will have nothing to owe you.”

      Kin-Fo was really very much touched by the devotion of the agents, whatever their motive might be, and he did not conceal his feelings.

      “We will talk about this again,” he added, “when Lao-Shen shall have returned the letter, which Wang unfortunately gave up.”

      Craig and Fry looked at each other, and an almost imperceptible smile played around their lips. Evidently the same thought was passing through the mind of each.

      “Soun!” said Kin-Fo.

      “Sir?”

      “The tea?”

      “Here it is,” answered Fry.

      Fry had his reasons for answering in Soun’s place; for the latter would have said that tea was out of the question.

      But to think that the two agents were embarrassed by so small a matter was not to know them. Fry then drew from the bag a small utensil, which is the indispensable complement of the Boyton apparatus. Indeed, it can serve as a beacon when it is dark, a fireplace when it is cold, and a cooking-stove when one wishes a warm drink.

      Nothing is simpler. It is a tube five or six inches long, fastened to a metallic receptacle, provided with an upper and a lower plug, and all encased in a cork plaque in the manner of those floating thermometers used in bathing-houses.