"And I guess that's about as near right as a toucher," said Silas the skipper. "'Cause don't you see we're bound to come among islands o' some kind, and shiver me if they can be a bit worse than those we've left."
"True enough," said Frank.
About five bells that forenoon a heavy sea struck the Island Queen on the weather quarter, and almost laid her on her beam ends.
She slowly righted, however, but hardly was she once more on an even keel than there was a shout from the men below.
"We've sprung a leak!"
Fred handed the tiller to Silas, and rushed down. It was only too true. The water was coming pouring in, in three different places at the bows.
"All hands to bail her out," cried Fred.
And the men set merrily enough to work. Those below filled calabashes, and handed them to others on deck to be emptied overboard.
They kept the water under for a while. But it was soon evident enough she could not float for any length of time.
The question now arose, What was best to be done? and a consultation was held.