V.
A Cry of Horror.—What shall we do?—Hard and fast.—Bart and Bruce.—Gloomy Intelligence.—The Promontory.—The Bore of the Petitcodiac.—A Night of Misery.—A mournful Waking.—Taking Counsel.
A cry of horror escaped those on board, and for some time they stood silent in utter dismay.
"The rope wasn't tied," groaned Arthur.
"Yes, it was," said Captain Corbet; "it bruk; catch me not tyin it. It bruk; see here!" and he held up in the dim light the end of the rope which still was fastened to the schooner. "I didn't know it was rotten," he moaned; "'tain't over ten year old, that bit o' rope, an I've had it an used it a thousand times without its ever thinkin o' breakin."
"What can we do?" cried Arthur. "We must do something to save him."
Captain Corbet shook his head.
"We've got no boat," said he.
"Boat! Who wants a boat?"
"What can we do without a boat?"