“You’re a bloodthirsty wretch, that’s what you are. Good night.”
Late that night a full gale sprang up. Word of the weather conditions was brought to the captain.
“Heave up the anchors and get under way at once,” was the command. “Tell the chief engineer to get ready as soon as possible. How many boilers are fired up?”
“Six, sir.”
“Have the fires put under the other two at once. We must put to sea and ride the gale out there.”
The captain quickly dressed and hurried up to the bridge. The spray was dashing clear over the bridge, soaking everything and everyone on it. In the meantime a boatswain’s mate was bawling out his orders through the ship, hurriedly turning out the various watches.
Dan and Sam were awakened by the heavy rolling of the ship. Both sat up in their hammocks at the same instant.
“What’s going on?” asked Dan as he heard men hurrying along the decks to their stations.
“Maybe the ship is sinking,” suggested the cheerful Sam.