ap in his left hand
gazing aft, and then he moved his right arm two or three times, as if
forming an imaginary line through the brig's hull.

"Did you hear me, captain?" said Rodd eagerly. "Are you sure you have
got the sail over the holes?"

"No," granted the skipper. "Are you?"

"No; but I thought--"

"Yes, my lad; so did I. You thought we ought to get the sail in the
right place."

"Yes," said Rodd.

"Well, then, now, my lad, I should be much obliged to you if you'd tell
me which is exactly the right place."

Rodd looked at him in despair.

"Thank you, my lad," said the skipper dryly. "I am much obliged. But
all right, Mr Rodd; you can't tell, and I can't tell. We know that the
ball that came from the fort must have gone downwards a bit, so that it
went out from lower than where it went in; but there's no knowing
whether she was hit from starboard or from larboard, and that's where
I'm bothered. But never say die. I think we will make this bit of
canvas fast now, for I'm pretty sure of one thing; it will be a plaister
for one hole if it isn't for the other."

"But look here, captain," cried Rodd.

"What now?"

"Won't the water run under the canvas just the same as it did before?"

"No, my lad, it won't; and I'll tell you the reason why when we have
done. Of course you know I am not going to stop all the water from
coming in below, but if I can get it checked a bit so that they can keep
it down easy with one man at the pump instead of two, she won't go to
the bottom just yet, and they will have time enough to get into port to
set the carpenter at work."

"Then you won't let our carpenter try to stop the holes?"

"No, my lad. You see, he never learned to be a fish, so that he could
work under water; and though he's a bit of a crab in his way, I don't
think he could manage it for all that. Now I'm ready to go on. Come,
my lads, put your backs into it and haul them sheets tight. Here,
master, let two of your men go to each corner and help my lads. All
together as hard as they can!" shouted the skipper, and the Count
quickly translated his order.

"That's right! Haul away, my lads!" shouted the skipper. "That new
canvas won't give. Harder! Harder! Now then, one more--all you
know!--Make fast!"

"Excellent! Superb!" cried the Count, as the men ceased from making
fast the ropes, which were brought over the bulwarks and passed round
the belaying pins. "Do you think that will stop th