Caragh got quietly upon his feet, looked across the water at the wreck, and then turned to the captain.
"If you can't spare me a line to take on board her, I'll have to bring you back one of hers," he said.
"I forbid you to leave the ship," replied the other briefly.
"Of course you can do that," said Caragh, looking again across the sea, "but it won't make a pretty story if those poor devils are drowned under our eyes."
At that moment a sailor brought the signalling slate aft to the captain, who looked glum and handed it to Sir Anthony.
"Tide's leaving her," he explained.
"Her back is breaking, is that it?" asked Sir Anthony.
The captain nodded.
"She won't hold together long after that?"
"Probably not," said the captain.