“Is there any danger?” asked a tremulous second.
“If it's a collision or a leak, don't keep it from us, sir,” came a stern contralto. For in various stages of toilet incompleteness the passengers were crowding out of the cabin.
But before the “unhappy master” could utter a word of reply, the sailor had touched his cap and reported to the third mate:
“Log-line fouled on wreck, sir.”
“By gad!” shouted the major, who was twisting the log-line about, and peering into the water. “By gad, the girl was right! The line has fouled on some wreck, and there is a body made fast to it.”
The captain gave just a single glance in the direction indicated. .
“Stand by gig davits and lower away,” he shouted to the watch, who had of course come aft.
The men ran to where the boat was hanging, and loosened the lines.
“Oh, Heaven preserve us! they are taking to the boats!” cried a female passenger.
“Don't be a fool, my good woman,” said Mrs. Crawford tartly. The major's wife had come on deck in a most marvellous costume, and she was already holding a sal-volatile bottle to Daireen's nose, having made a number of inquiries of Mr. Harwood and the doctor.