Carson turned on him like an infuriated wild beast.
“One more word like that and I’ll knock what serves you for brains out of your thick skull,� he snarled, and fell to pacing the poop.
Completely tired out, Raynor sought his bunk that night and fell into a deep sleep of exhaustion. He had not closed his eyes the night before and even the perilous position of the ship could not have kept him on his feet.
When he awakened, sunshine was streaming into the port of his cabin.
“Gracious!� he gasped. “I must be late. Carson will half kill me.�
He hustled into some clothes and emerged into the outer cabin. Almost instantly he stepped into water which the tilt of the ship had prevented penetrating into his cabin. The water almost covered the main cabin floor. The tilt of the ship made it deeper on the opposite side of the cabin.
“The ice has crushed the Polly Ann’s ribs,� exclaimed the boy. “She is doomed.�
He rushed on deck. The next instant he stood still at the top of the companionway, stricken with stupefaction.
The decks, usually at that hour alive with men, were deserted. Not a soul was to be seen either fore or aft.
What had happened? Then Raynor’s eyes wandered to the davits where the big whale boats used in sealing, generally hung.