d continued to increase, and Murray felt too anxious to go below.
The schooner had been put about and was now standing to the northward.
He had made up his mind to run into Falmouth to wait for a fair wind,
should the weather not improve. Ben Snatchblock came aft.

"I'm afraid, sir, that the craft's making more water than she should.
We'll man the pumps, if you please. She got more damage than I had
supposed. The chief injury seems to be amidships, and I should not be
surprised if the water wasn't coming in through one of the side berths."

Jack and Adair went below to examine into the state of affairs. One of
the berths on the port side had been occupied by Desmond. On entering
it, by the light from the main cabin, they saw the water gushing in
every time the schooner heeled over. The ladies naturally cried out
with alarm.

"It might have been far worse," said Jack. "We can soon stop this. We
must shorten sail and keep as much as possible on an even keel."

The carpenter came below with some tools and planks, and set to work to
try and stop the leak. The pumps were, in the mean time, kept actively
going, and Ben reported that the water was decreasing. Still, the
injury might be more serious than was at first apprehended, and no
little anxiety was felt by all on board. It might be many hours before
Falmouth could be reached.

The damage having been partially repaired, the yacht was put about. The
leak in the side was anxiously watched, to ascertain if the water still
came in. A small quantity was evidently forcing its way through the
seams, but Murray hoped that it would not prove of much consequence, and
that the pumps might easily keep the vessel clear. Still he was aware
that at any moment the plank nailed on might be forced in. It seemed a
wonder indeed that the yacht had not been sunk at once by the blow she
had received.

"The wind's coming a point or two more to the south'ard, sir," observed
Ben Snatchblock, who had been looking at the binnacle. "Half a point or
so more, and we shall weather the Lizard. There are the lights, sir. I
thought we should see them before long."

The mist clearing away, the fixed lights of the Lizard were seen on the
port bow. Gradually the wind allowed the vessel's head to be turned
more to the eastward, when they appeared broad on the bow. The
schooner, by keeping close to the wind, was able to steer a course
direct for Falmouth Harbour, and away she went sl