rious choking
feeling at his breast as he thought of home in far-away old England, and
of the slight chance he had of ever seeing it again.

"Of course you will try, black as it all looks. Now then, we're a bit
rested, and going to have another start."

But he gave no orders then, for with his wet hand shading his eyes, he
tried to make out what was going on between the _Nautilus_ and the
schooner, the firing having now ceased.

"I'm afraid the Yankee skipper's carrying on the same manoeuvre," he
said at last; "and perhaps we shall have to wait for morning. Now then,
I want this boat righted and baled out, but we shall be colder sitting
in our wet clothes than we are now. Ready, my lads?"

"Ay, ay, sir."

Still he did not give orders for the men to renew their efforts, but
hung there watching the distant vessels, while alone in the great ocean
the capsized boat softly heaved and fell on the long smooth rollers.

"Yes," said the lieutenant at last, "he will be obliged to let her
escape."

"Not take her?" cried Mark, rousing himself a little at this.

"No, not take her. He must heave to and pick us up. As soon as it is
day glasses will be at work in the maintop; and directly they see our
plight the _Nautilus_ will come down to us with every stitch of canvas
set."

"Hooray!" shouted the men as they heard the lieutenant's words; and when
he gave his orders, they set to with a will to drag the keel down toward
them. Discipline, training, all was in their favour; but the boat was
heavy, and seemed to fight against them. Turning their bodies into
weights, they drew it more and more over, till it was so low that the
lieutenant bade one man climb up and reach over to get hold of the side.

This was done again and again, but only for the weight to disturb the
equilibrium, and send it back, the man in each case going right over
with it, to be plunged in, head-first, on the other side.

Sailors are light-hearted fellows, and even in times of peril they soon
forget their troubles, and are ready to join in a grin.

It was so here. A roar of laughter saluted each man who went down as
soon as he rose again and swam round, taking it all good-humouredly
enough, as he resumed his place to renew the struggle, till at last the
lieutenant was ready to give up in despair.

"Let me try this time," said Mark at last. "I'm lighter, and I think I
could get hold of the side with the boathook as soon as I am on the
keel."