“I’m afraid—”
Murray did not finish his sentence, but made a spring forward and clapped his hand hard upon his leader’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong, sir?” cried the sailor, turning sharply upon him.
“Hark! Listen!” cried Murray excitedly.
“Oh, Mr Murray, sir,” groaned the man despairingly, “you’ve been and gone and done it now!”
“Nonsense! What do you mean?”
“Pitched me off my bearings, sir. I’ve looked round, and I shall never pick ’em up again.”
“Well, what does that matter?” cried Murray. “Don’t you hear?”
“Hear, sir? Hear what?”
“Oars. I heard them rattling in the rowlocks as plain as possible.”