The skipper was but a light sleeper, and so raised himself from his cot at once.
“Anything wrong, mate?”
“I fear, sir, there is something very much wrong indeed. We seem to have sprung an ugly leak all at once. The water is gaining on us fast, though we’re pumping all we can.”
“Bless my soul, mate!”
“If we can keep her afloat for six hours, sir, I think it will be all we can do.”
“Well, in three hours, my friend, we can easily arm and provision boats.”
“Yes.”
“Better call all hands, then.”
“I’ve done so an hour ago, sir.”
“Tell the steward to splice the main-brace immediately after the men have had their coffee and biscuit.”