t by their feet in the lime? At first
they can scarcely believe they are caught; it changes nothing in their
aspect; but they soon are sure that they are held fast, and in danger
of never getting free again. And when they struggle to get free, and
the sticky stuff soils their wings and heads, they gradually assume that
pitiful look of a dumb creature in distress, about to die. Such was the
case with the _Marie_. At first it did not seem much to be concerned
about; she certainly was careened a little on one side, but it was broad
morning, and the weather was fair and calm; one had to know such things
by experience to become uneasy, and understand that it was a serious
matter.

The captain was to be pitied. It was his fault, as he had not understood
exactly where they were. He wrung his hands, saying: "God help us! God
help us!" in a voice of despair.

Close to them, during a lifting of the fog, they could distinguish a
headland, but not recognize it. But the mists covered it anew, and they
saw it no longer.

There was no sail or smoke in sight. They all jostled about, hurrying
and knocking the deck lumber over. Their dog Turc, who did not usually
mind the movement of the sea, was greatly affected too by this incident,
these sounds from down below, these heavy wallowings when the low
swell passed under, and the sudden calm that afterwards followed; he
understood that all this was unusual, and hid himself away in corners,
with his tail between his legs. They got out the boats to carry the
kedges and set them firm, and tried to row her out of it by uniting all
their forces together upon the tow-lines--a heavy piece of work this,
which lasted ten successive hours. So, when evening came, the poor
bark, which had only that morning been so fresh and light, looked almost
swamped, fouled, and good for nothing. She had fought hard, floundered
about on all sides, but still remained there, fixed as in a dock.

Night was overtaking them; the wind and the waves were rising; things
were growing worse, when, all of a sudden, towards six o'clock,
they were let go clear, and could be off again, tearing asunder the
tow-lines, which they had left to keep her head steady. The men wept,
rushing about like madmen, cheering from stem to stern--"We're afloat,
boys!"

They were afloat, with a joy that cannot be described; what it was to
feel themselves going forwards on a buoyant craft again, instead of on
the semi-wreck it was before, none