We
have long known that any day, with the chances of war, we might be
separated, and by many another chance too, though. I have followed him
pretty well round the world, to look after him, and now the time has
come which we well knew might come, though I cannot say that I feel it
the less on that account. It's hard to bear, Mrs Morley, that it is;
but if it's God's will that we are not to see our husbands again, we
must submit, marm. Still, you know, marm, it may not be His will to
take them from us. He can preserve them if He thinks fit; and if so, we
shall meet them again. That's what keeps me up."

"You are right, Mrs Rumbelow," whispered Mrs Morley, as the sergeant's
wife knelt by her side within the little tent. "Does any one think that
the ship is still afloat?"

"That's more than any one can say, marm. Ships have floated when all on
board supposed that they were going down. That must be our hope, marm;
and now, Mrs Morley, and you, dear young ladies, take my advice, and
try and go to sleep and forget all about it, or you'll wear yourselves
out. It's the men's business to look after the boat and us. We must
trust to them, and still more to One in heaven, who will take care of us
all."

These remarks were made by Mrs Rumbelow as she was endeavouring to
place the young ladies and their mother in the most comfortable position
she could select in the narrow space allotted to them.

In the meantime, the boat ran on as before amid the raging seas; several
had broken partially on board, and four hands were kept continually
bailing, to get rid of the water which thus got into her.

"There is another spare sail for'ard," observed Willy Dicey to Harry.
"Don't you think we can manage to nail it on round the stern and
quarters? I saw some tools put into the boat, and one of the
carpenter's mates is with us."

"Your advice is good, and we will follow it," answered Harry: and Willy
made his way for'ard to look for the sail. It was soon found; and the
carpenter's mate, with the assistance of Paul Lizard and Willy, who
prided himself on his skill as a carpenter, quickly sawed out several
stanchions. These were at once screwed on so as to raise the gunwale
nearly two feet all round the after-part of the boat. Scarcely had the
canvas been securely fixed when a heavier sea than ordinary came rolling
up, hissing and roaring as if about to overwhelm her. Many gazed at it
with dismay. It struck the stern; no sm