“What’s that?” he said in a whisper.
“What? I heard nothing,” said the major.
“Silence!” cried the mate sternly; and he listened intently to a low roaring noise.
“Breakers!” he said suddenly. “We are near land.”
“Land?” cried Mark.
“Yes, my boy. Oh, if it were day!”
The mate changed the course of the boat directly so as to run off to the left, but at the end of five minutes he altered the course again.
“Breakers there too,” he said. “We are between them.”
“Well, then, quick!” said the major. “Go about and let’s turn back.”
“My dear Major O’Halloran,” said the mate calmly, “if I attempt to go about, the boat will fill instantly and sink. Our only chance is in keeping on.”