had
started somewhere.

For two hours the crew worked at the pumps, taking a spell of ten
minutes every half-hour, Otway, the American captain Burr, and Mr. Lacy
all lending a hand. Then the well was sounded, and showed two inches
less.

Robertson ordered the men to come aft and get a glass of grog. They
trooped down into the cabin wet and exhausted, and the steward served
them each out half a tumblerful of good French brandy. They drank it
off, and then went on deck again to have a smoke before resuming
pumping. A quarter of an hour later the pumps choked. There were a
hundred tons of coal in the lower hold, and some of the small of it had
been drawn up. By the time the carpenter had them cleared the water had
gained seven inches, and the little barque was labouring heavily. Again,
however, the willing crew turned to and pumped steadily for another
hour, but only succeeded in reducing the water by an inch or two. Then
Robertson called his officers together and consulted.

"We can't keep on like this much longer," he said, "the water is gaining
on us too fast. And we can't run before such a sea as this, in our
condition; we should be pooped in less than five minutes. We shall have
to take to the boats in another couple of hours, unless a change takes
place. Mr. Allen, and you, Mr. Otway, see to the two boats, and get them
in readiness."

Then he went below to the passengers. They were all seated in the main
cabin, and looked anxiously at him as he entered.

"I am sorry to tell you, ladies," he said quietly, "that the ship is
leaking so badly that I fear we shall have to abandon her. The men
cannot keep on pumping much longer, now that we are three hands short.
Fortunately we have two good boats, and, if we must take to them, shall
have no trouble in reaching land."

They heard him in silence, then the old priest opened his state-room
door, and came out.

"That is bad news indeed, captain," he said gently. "Still we must bow
to God's will, and trust to His guidance and protection. And you and
your officers and crew are good and brave seamen."

"Thank you, father. We'll do all right if we have to take to the boats.
And you must try and cheer up the ladies. Now I must leave you all for
awhile. We will stick to the pumps for another hour or two."

"Captain," said Sarah de Boos, a tall, finely built young woman of
twenty, "let my sister and myself and our servant help the men at the
pump. _Do_, please. We are al