Kit pondered, for he had taken some soundings when coming out.  They were probably not correct, because the launch had rolled among the white combers that swept the shoals while he used the lead, but the average depth was about the steamer’s draught in her usual trim.  Mayne, however, ought to know what depth to expect, and Kit hoped he had loaded the vessel to correspond.  By and by the mulatto fireman shut the furnace door, the puzzling light was cut off, and Kit searched the horizon.  For some minutes, he saw nothing; and then a trail of red fire soared into the sky.

“He’s brought her across,” said Adam.  “Get our rocket off.”

The rocket swept up in a wide curve and burst into crimson lights.  After this there was darkness for a time until an indistinct black object appeared against the brightening sky.  Then the launch sank back into the trough, where the gloom was only broken by the glimmer of the phosphorescence that spangled the water.  When she swung up on the top of the next swell the steamer was plainer and Kit blew the whistle as he changed their course.

When the moon rose slowly out of the sea he stopped the clanking engine and the launch reeled up and down, some fifty yards off the steamer.  The Rio Negro carried no lights, but the phosphorescence shone upon her wet plates as she rolled them out of the water.  Her side rose high and black, and then sank until her rail was nearly level with the spangled foam.  Indistinct figures scrambled about her deck, and when Kit sheered the launch in, her ladder went down with a rattle.  A half-breed on board the launch caught it with his boat hook, and Adam stood at the bow, waiting for a chance to jump upon the narrow platform that lurched up above him and then plunged into the sea.  Kit felt anxious.  He did not think Adam was equal to the effort and dreaded the consequences of the shock if he missed and fell.

“Stand by!” he shouted to the seaman on the ladder when the Rio Negro steadied after a violent roll; and then touched Adam.  “Now; before she goes back!”

Adam, jumping awkwardly, seized the seaman’s hand, and Kit, leaning out, pushed him on to the platform as it began to sink.  Then he jumped and coming down in a foot or two of water helped Adam to the deck.  Mayne met them at the gangway and took them to his room, where Adam sat down and gasped.  When Mayne poured out some liquor he clutched the glass with a shaking hand.  After he drained it he was silent for a moment or two; and then asked in a strained voice:  “Have you brought the goods?”

“Got them all.  We hadn’t a nice trip.  Don’t know how Finlay kept her going and I thought I’d lost her on Tortillas reef; but we can talk about that afterwards.”

Adam made a sign of satisfaction and leaned back feebly.  “It’s some relief to know the goods are here.”

“Finlay can drive her seven knots and has plenty steam,” Mayne said to Kit.  “I’m bothered about the water; there won’t be too much.”