ick's, which was the
first ready, a cask of water was at once put, with which he and several
additional hands returned to the merchantman.

The fresh hands jumped on board and hoisted up the cask of water, at the
sight of which the thirsty crew rushed aft. Tom, who stood by while the
contents were drawn up, was about to hand the cup to the master. He
took it and hurried below.

"It's for his wife," observed one of the men; "she's very bad."

Two boys, whose looks betrayed their sufferings, came forward, heaving
deep sighs as they poured the refreshing liquid down their throats. The
other men followed in turn. By this time the master returned and
eagerly drank a draught of water.

"Thank Heaven!" he ejaculated. "It has restored new strength to me, but
we must not let the pumps be idle, or the water will gain upon us more
rapidly than it has been doing."

"Let your men rest," said Tom, leading the way to the pumps, which he
with his people manned.

Meantime Alick took his place at the cask and served out more water to
the master and his men, who appeared still far from satisfied.

Jack, hearing of the condition of the merchantman's crew, sent the
doctor, who now stepped on board.

"Stop, my lads!" he cried, on seeing the quantity of water the men were
drinking. "You may have too much of such a simple thing as pure water."

"Will you come below and see my poor wife, sir?" said the master, in an
anxious tone.

The doctor at once descended with him. Meantime the provisions were
handed up; some cans of hot cocoa and biscuit. The crew stood round
like school children, waiting to be supplied with their food, with
difficulty restraining their eagerness until the cups of cocoa were
handed to them.

The food had a magical effect, and even those stretched on the deck now
managed to move about.

Some spars had been towed off from the _Bellona_, and Tom at once set
about fitting up a jury-mast, while the carpenter and his crew went
below to try and find the leak, and see what could be done to stop it.
The energetic pumping of the man-of-war's men soon reduced the water in
the hold. After a long search the carpenter sent up to say he had
discovered the worst leak and was already at work stopping it.

Expressions of thankfulness escaped from the crew as they heard this,
and they turned to with a vigour they had not hitherto shown, to assist
in the repairs going forward.

"Your wife will do very well," said th