"TOM'S ADRIFT IN HER!"
"What!" shouted Bruce.
"TOM'S ADRIFT IN HER."
At this appalling intelligence Bruce's heart seemed to stop beating.
"How long?" he dried, after a pause.
"Half an hour," cried Arthur.
"Why don't you go after him?" cried Bruce again.
"We're aground," cried Arthur.
The whole situation was now explained, and Bruce was filled with his own share of that dismay which prevailed on board of the schooner; for a long time nothing more was said. At length Arthur's voice sounded again.
"Bruce!"