"Them's the pumps a-goin'," Miggs answered, packing his sextant away in its case.
"The pumps! I thought they were only used when a ship was in danger?"
Ezra came along the deck at this moment, and listened with interest to the conversation.
"This ship is in danger," Miggs remarked calmly.
"In danger!" cried Ezra, looking round the clear sky and placid sea. "Where is the danger? I did not think you were such an old woman, Miggs."
"We will see about that," the seaman answered angrily. "If a ship's got no bottom in her she's bound to be in danger, be the weather fair or foul."
"Do you mean to tell me this ship has no bottom?"
"I mean to tell you that there are places where you could put your fingers through her seams. It's only the pumpin' that keeps her afloat."
"This is a pretty state of things," said Girdlestone. "How is it that I have not been informed of it before! It is most dangerous."
"Informed!" cried Miggs. "Informed of it! Has there been a v'yage yet that I haven't come to ye, Muster Girdlestone, and told ye I was surprised ever to find myself back in Lunnon? A year agone I told ye how this ship was, and ye laughed at me, ye did. It's only when ye find yourselves on her in the middle o' the broad sea that ye understan' what it is that sailor folk have to put up wi'."