“Hurt, my lad? Why, it was in one of the worst storms I can ’member. Tell him about the poor souls, Will.”
“The packet ran right on the rocks, Master Arthur,” said Will solemnly. “Where we are is one mass of tossing foam in a storm, and the froth and spray fly over the Mew Rock here. Directly the packet had struck a great wave came in and lifted her right up and then dropped her again across the ridge yonder, and she broke right in two.”
“Like a radish,” said Josh.
“And one end went down in the deep water one side, the other end the other side.”
“Ay,” said Josh, “it’s very deep water out there, and they used to be at work regular for months and months getting out the cargo and engines when the weather was calm.”
“But the people—the people?” cried Arthur. “What became of them?”
“Hah!” ejaculated Josh. “What come o’ them?”
“Were they drowned?” said Dick.
“Every poor creature on board,” said Will.
“And none of you fishermen went out in your boats to help them?” cried Dick indignantly.