As it was then just short of three bells, and as they were making, as near as those aboard the _Catspaw_ could judge, very nearly three miles an hour, it seemed probable that by two o'clock that night they would be at anchor off Portsmouth Harbour.

Of course, there was always the possibility of bad weather or a broken cable, but the _Catspaw's_ crew declined to be pessimistic.

They were having a royal good time.

There was enough danger in the enterprise to make it exciting, and, being normal, healthy chaps, excitement was better than food.

Perry proclaimed his delight at last finding an adventure quite to his taste.
"Being wrecked on that island the other day was poor fun," he declared.
"And it was dreadfully messy, too.