At eight bells Smitty announced lunch. Martin took Evans’ place on watch. Bervick and Evans went below to the salon.
The passengers were already seated. Their morale, Evans could see, was quite high. Duval, oil streaks on his face and clothes, looked tired.
“Engines going smooth?” asked Evans sitting down.
“Just like always. Little bit of trouble with a valve on the starboard, but that’s all. The valve isn’t hitting quite right.”
“You got a spare part, haven’t you?”
“Sure.”
“Well, let’s not worry.”
Smitty brought them hash and coffee and crackers. He slammed the dishes down on the table.
“I feel as if I could eat a horse,” said the Chaplain.