“There is nothing of the adventurer in me, Miss Baldwin.”
“Then why are you here; why don’t you leave the yacht?”
“That’s different. I came aboard as part of the expedition. I remain
because——”
“Because you are not a quitter.” She laughed gaily, then grew serious.
“I’m a queer bird, am I not, Mr. Pitt?”
“Well, you have succeeded in startling me. When you came on board I
judged you to be the typical young girl of your class who has led so
sheltered a life——”
“I have, I have! Oh, so—so sheltered! That’s why I’m wild to be
something else for once.”
“So sheltered a life that you would shrink and flee when you
discovered that you were the only woman on board the yacht. And that
you would be terror-stricken when I told you the true state of affairs
on board.”
She nodded with mock contrition.
“I know. That’s what I should have done to be proper. But I can’t help
it, Mr. Pitt. I’m not afraid; I don’t want to shrink and flee; and I
do look forward to something different with unholy joy. Awful, isn’t
it? But it’s all so thrilling—the wicked crew, the mutiny, and—and
Captain Brack.”