"Aye, aye, sir."
"I'm afraid she is swinging to port, sir," announced the executive.
The captain took a shore bearing and glanced along his ship toward the stern.
"Yes, this won't do at all. We'll be on the shoal broadside in a moment. Put out the starboard stern anchor. Draw her up tight. Be quick about it!"
A splash far aft told them that the anchor had gone overboard.
"Is she holding, Coates?"
"I think so, sir."
"Watch her. When the tide turns she may shift the other way, but I think that, by drawing the anchor chains taut, we can hold the ship where she is now."
"I do not think she is very far on. We ought to float at high tide, sir."
"Yes; we should, but you cannot always tell. This is too bad, though we did all we could. I hope this mishap has not injured her in any way."