e height of the storm.

The fracture was alarming on account of its size; but fortunately,
although the vessel was sunk lower than usual by the weight of water, it
was still above the ordinary water-line.

At the moment when the accident had occurred, the waves had rolled
heavily into the defile, and had flooded through the breach; and the
vessel had sunk a few inches under the additional weight, so that, even
after the subsidence of the water, the weight having raised the
water-line, had kept the hole still under the surface. Hence the
imminence of the danger. But if he could succeed in stopping the leak,
he could empty the sloop; the hole once staunched, the vessel would rise
to its usual water-line, the fracture would be above water, and in this
position the repair would be easy, or at least possible. He had still,
as we have already said, his carpenters' tools in good condition.

But meanwhile what uncertainty must he not endure! What perils, what
chances of accidents! He heard the water rising inexorably. One shock,
and all would have perished. What misery seemed in store for him.
Perhaps his endeavours were even now too late.

He reproached himself bitterly. He thought that he ought to have seen
the damage immediately. The six inches of water in the hold ought to
have suggested it to him. He had been stupid enough to attribute these
six inches of water to the rain and the foam. He was angry with himself
for having slept and eaten; he taxed himself even with his weariness,
and almost with the storm and the dark night. All seemed to him to have
been his own fault.

These bitter self-reproaches filled his mind while engaged in his
labour, but they did not prevent his considering well the work he was
engaged in.

The leak had been found; that was the first step: to staunch it was the
second. That was all that was possible for the moment. Joinery work
cannot be carried on under water.

It was a favourable circumstance that the breach in the hull was in the
space between the two chains which held the funnel fast on the starboard
side. The stuffing with which it was necessary to stop it could be fixed
to these chains.

The water meanwhile was gaining. Its depth was now between two and three
feet; and it reached above his knees.

VI

DE PROFUNDIS AD ALTUM

Gilliatt had to his hand among his reserve of rigging for the sloop a
pretty large tarpaulin, furnished with long laniards at the four
corners.