"Never!" answered de Lussan, shaking his head. "Well, it has been a short cruise and a merry one. Pity to lose our freightage and lives."
"And you, Velsers?"
"No," said the German, "it can't be done. Why did we ever come to this cursed coast?"
"Avast that!" cried Morgan, thinking quickly. "Gentlemen, we'll club-haul the ship."
"The water's too deep, my captain, to give holding ground to the anchor," urged Raveneau shrugging his shoulders.
"It shoals yonder, I think," answered Morgan. "We'll hold on until the last minute and then try."
"'Tis wasted labor," growled Velsers.
"And certain death to hold on," added the Frenchman.
"Have you anything else to propose, sirs?" asked Morgan sharply. "We can't tack ship against this wind and sea. There's no room to wear. What's to do?"
The men made no answer.