e leak?"

"Maybe yes, sir; maybe no. If it don't do it we will put another
plaister on, and another, and another. You have got plenty of spare
sails and rope, and when we have used all yours I dare say we can find
some more in the schooner. Now then, set your men going at that pump,
and rig up another as quick as you can."

One pump began to clank heavily at once, and a short time after another
was at work, and the clear bright water began to sparkle out of the
scuppers, while, moved as it were by the same spirit, the French crew
burst into a shrill involuntary cheer.

"How can I ever thank you, captain?" cried the Count, while his son
snatched at Rodd's hand.

"Ah, I haven't done yet, sir," said the skipper coolly. "This is only a
try."

"Oh, it's grand," cried the French lad, clinging to Rodd's arm. "You
have saved our ship."

"Don't you holloa till you are out of the wood, young fellow," said the
skipper, as he heard the words. "Now, Mr Rodd, sir, what was it you
wanted to know?"

"Why the water will not still rim in underneath the canvas."

"Only because of this, my lad. Aren't they pumping the water out now as
fast as ever they can?"

"Yes," cried Rodd; "but more will run in."

"Yes, my lad, and as it runs in won't the weight of the water outside
push the canvas closer and closer in round the leak?"

"Yes, of course," cried Rodd. "I didn't think of that. And as there
gets less inside it will seem to suck the canvas closer to."

"Quite right, my lad. That's about the way it works; and now we have
got to wait for about an hour before we can know whether we have got
both holes covered, or only one."

"Wait for an hour?" cried Rodd.

"Well, perhaps, before we are sure; but I dare say I shall be going down
and sounding the well a time or two before that."

But long before the hour had elapsed the skipper found that though the
water in the brig had subsided to a certain extent, one of the holes
must be still uncovered, and he began at once to repeat his proceedings,
coming to the conclusion that one of the bullet-holes was beyond the
reach of the canvas. This time, after all was drawn tight,
half-an-hour's pumping proved that his surmises were correct, and the
skipper smiled with satisfaction as the Count and his men cheered them
in delight on finding after a good deal of pumping that there was a very
perceptible diminution of the water in the hold.

"It is superb, and so simple," cried th