None of them had noticed the big wave coming.
Ken grabbed for the pump and ducked as the sweeping torrent landed.
But the water shot Cal’s feet out from under him and threw his big helpless body toward the bulwark. Sandy grabbed him just before he went over. When the wave subsided he shoved Cal erect again.
“Now pump!” he yelled. “And hang on the next time a wave comes over!” Then he seized the handle himself and nodded to Ken to take a breather inside.
Ken moved toward the cabin door, still feeling dazed.
Inside, out of the wind and the cold, he dropped onto the lower bunk for a few minutes until his thudding heart slowed to normal again.
He had been startled when he saw Cal come out on deck with Sandy, but now—as he thought it over—he realized that Cal’s strength could be an asset instead of something to dread. Now that he and Sandy both were free of their bonds they could take care of Cal if it became necessary. In the meantime, Cal could give valuable service at the pump, spelling the boys one at a time. Sandy had pointed out that they were buying time. Cal could help them to buy a little more of it.
Ken looked at his watch. It was only half past nine! He felt as if days had gone by since Sandy and he first staggered out onto the deck to try to re-start the pumping engine.
Suddenly he realized that the fire in the stove had died down—that the cabin was not as warm as it had been. He was beginning to shiver as his sweat- and sea-drenched clothes congealed. He struggled up from the bunk, shook the fire, and poured on more coal.
Coffee, he thought—that’s what we need. He found the coffeepot in a corner under the cupboards, filled it, and set it on the stove.