k. He could not
conjecture why the man had been left there. The boys, however, thought
that, by examining all the papers, they might elucidate the mystery.
They feared, from the appearance of the poor stranger, that some foul
deed had been done on board. Now, however, they were more concerned
about themselves. The brig had hitherto withstood all the buffeting she
had received without apparently leaking much, but would she continue to
do so? Old Jefferies thought not. He had heard, he said, strange
sounds as he lay in bed, which he knew well proceeded from water forcing
its way into the hold, or rather from the air which was thereby forced
out--groans, and sighs, and low cries.

"Some people, when they hear these sounds for the first time, think that
the ship is full of ghosts and spirits, and that they are crying out
that she is going down," observed the old man. "But I know better. I
wish that I hadn't heard them, for they make me sad. Not for myself,
though, for I am well-nigh worn out, and that poor boy's death weighs
heavy on me. I daren't face his grandmother, and tell her that he is
gone. But, boys, I am sorry for you. You are young and full of life,
and there are many who love you on shore, and will mourn your loss."

"What, do you think that the ship is going down?" exclaimed Harry and
David together, in a very natural tone of dismay.

"It would be cruel in me not to tell you so, and I hope that you are
prepared to die, my boys," answered the old man. "Still I don't say but
that in God's mercy you may escape. A vessel may heave in sight in time
to take you off, or you may build a raft, and it may float you till you
are picked up. I don't say give in, but be prepared for the worst."

The boys listened calmly to what the old man said.

"We will hope for the best, rig the pumps, and try and keep her free,"
answered Harry.

"Not much hope of that, I fear," said the old man. "We can but try,"
exclaimed David. "Let us go on deck at once, and see what we can do."

"You may be washed overboard if you go now on deck," said old Jefferies.
"You must wait till the sea goes down again somewhat, and you may then
pump away with a will."

The latter part of this advice the boys agreed, after waiting some time,
to disregard. If the ship was sinking, the sooner the water could be
pumped out of her the better. They fancied, also, that she rolled less
than before. In spite of the old man's warnings, they