, what's the matter?"

"I was speaking to the first lieutenant about getting up a runner, sir--
the fore-stay is a good deal chafed; that is, if you think it's of any
use."

"How do you mean, of any use, Cross?"

"Why, sir, although no one would suppose it from you--but if the face of
the master (and he is not a faint-hearted man neither) is to be taken as
a barometer, we shall all be in `kingdom come' before long. I've
cruised in these seas so often, that I pretty well guess where we are,
Captain Keene."

"Well, Cross, it's no use denying that we are in a mess, and nothing but
the wind going down or changing can get us out of it."

"Just as I thought sir; well, it can't be helped, so it's no use
fretting about it. I think myself that the gale is breaking, and that
we shall have fine weather by to-morrow morning."

"That will be rather too late, Cross; for I think we shall be done for
in three or four hours, if not sooner."

"Eleven fathoms, sir," said the officer of the watch, coming in hastily.

"Very well, Mr Hawkins; let her go through the water," replied I.

As soon as the cabin door was again shut, I said, "You see, Cross, the
tide is now against us, and this will not last long."

"No, sir; we shall strike in five fathoms with this heavy sea."

"I know we shall; but I do not wish to dishearten the men before it is
necessary, and then we must do our best."

"You won't be offended, I am sure, by my asking, Captain Keene, what you
think of doing?"

"Not at all, Cross; it is my intention to explain it to the ship's
company before I do it. I may as well take your opinion upon it now.
As soon as we are in six fathoms, I intend to cut away the masts and
anchor."

"That's our only chance, sir, and if it is well done, and the gale
abates, it may save some of us; but how do you intend to anchor?"

"I shall back the best bower with the sheet, and let go the small bower
at the same time that I do the sheet, so as to ride an even strain."

"You can't do better, sir; but that will require time for preparation,
to be well done. Do you think that we shall have time, if you wait till
we are in six fathoms?"

"I don't know but you are right, Cross, and I think it would be better
to commence our preparations at once."

"Ten fathoms, sir," reported the officer of the watch.

"Very well, I will be on deck directly."

"Well, sir, we must now go to our duty; and as we may chance not to talk
to one another ag