“It won’t work, mother,” he said. “Something’s wrong with the current.”
At this moment there was another heavy knocking at the door and a voice called:
“Hey, Burton! Are you getting out? Hurry up; the ship’s filling with water. This is Gunseyt.”
Guy flung the door open, and the knocker entered.
“Are you about ready?” inquired the latter. “Hurry up and I’ll help get your mother in a lifeboat.”
“A lifeboat!” cried Mrs. Burton.
“Oh, there’s no immediate danger,” replied Gunseyt reassuringly. “The ship’ll probably sink, but not for some time yet. Everybody’ll be saved. Got any valuables you want to take along?”
“I don’t know,” said Guy in some confusion. “We didn’t bring anything very valuable with us, did we, mother?”
“Throw open your trunks and look your things over in a hurry,” suggested Gunseyt. “I’ll help you carry anything you want to the boat. I’ll strike some matches and hold a light.”
“You’re very kind,” said Guy appreciatively, as he opened his mother’s trunk and his own, they being unlocked.