“No—I don’t know—I’m getting used to it, I guess.”
“Yes, we’ll be gettin’ used to un before day, an’ then we’ll be doin’ somethin’. Dad says always keep un nerve an’ be plucky, an’ th’ worst fixes can be got out of someway.”
“This is a pretty bad fix, though. Guess your dad was never in a fix like this.”
“Oh, yes, he were. Dad were on th’ old Narwhal when she were nipped, an’ twelve of her crew were lost. He were adrift on th’ ice for a week before he were picked up. An’ he’s been on four vessels as were wrecked. Dad’s been in some wonderful bad places, but he always gets out of un for he always keeps his nerve—an’ when they ain’t nothin’ he can do for hisself, he prays. Dad’s a wonderful religious man.”
“Can you pray?”
“Oh, yes; I been prayin’ quiet to myself, settin’ here. Can you?”
“I know the Lord’s Prayer. Mother taught me to say it when I was little.”
“Say un to yourself. ’Twill do good.”
Another long silence, and Dan asked: