“We’re on the breakers,” he gasped. “You the life boat?” he added wildly.
“What’s the matter with your engines?” shouted Mac. “An’ where’s the crew? What’s doin’?”
“Gone,” moaned the man. “I couldn’t stop ’em—in the boats.”
“The skipper?” added Captain Joe with scorn. “He gone?”
The agitated man pointed toward the cabins beyond him.
“Fever,” he mumbled thickly, making an effort to compose himself. “Fever and whisky—drunk.”
Captain Joe started forward, as if to discover the officer who should have been in charge.
“No use,” cried out the man. “He hasn’t known anything all day. I’m done. We’re in the breakers. We’re lost,” he shouted again. “And not a man to help me.”
“The engine?” repeated Tom, crowding forward. “What’s the matter?”