For the first time since the ship had gone on her beam ends Captain
Allistoun gave a short glance down at his men. He was almost
upright--one foot against the side of the skylight, one knee on the
deck; and with the end of the vang round his waist swung back and forth
with his gaze fixed ahead, watchful, like a man looking out for a sign.
Before his eyes the ship, with half her deck below water, rose and fell
on heavy seas that rushed from under her flashing in the cold sunshine.
We began to think she was wonderfully buoyant--considering. Confident
voices were heard shouting:--"She'll do, boys!" Belfast exclaimed with
fervour:--"I would giv' a month's pay for a draw at a pipe!" One or
two, passing dry tongues on their salt lips, muttered something about a
"drink of water." The cook, as if inspired, scrambled up with his breast
against the poop water-cask and looked in. There was a little at the
bottom. He yelled, waving his arms, and two men began to crawl backwards
and forwards with the mug. We had a good mouthful all round. The master
shook his head impatiently, refusing. When it came to Charley one of his
neighbours shouted:--"That bloom-in' boy's asleep.
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