Then, after a silence, during which the boys looked gloomily out into the fog that seemed to be growing blacker and heavier like a pall, he added cheerfully, "Well, good-night, boys; keep up good courage. The Una is a tough little boat, and has rode out many a stiff gale."
"She's such a little thing to fight against big waves and strong wind," said Ben.
"Yes; when I'm down in that cabin I feel as if there was no more than a paper wall between us and the other world," added Ralph.
"Less than that, boy, less than that. There's only a breath 'twixt us and the other world any time, on sea or on land. What's the difference, as long as God's hand holds on to us? I feel just as safe as my little grand-baby does in his crib," said the captain.
"I don't," said Ben in a low tone; "I'd give all I own, and all my father owns too, if I was near enough the shore to jump on it. I'd be willing to make a long leap too."
"Good-night," again said the captain, as if to dismiss them.
"Good-night," replied the boys; but they were restless and anxious, and could not bear to go down into the close cabin, which seemed more like a prison than ever.
The storm had not commenced, and the only sign of it that the boys could see was the blackness of the fog and the peculiar feeling of the air, which seemed heated and heavy.
They sat down again behind the cabin, where the captain could not see them, and spoke in whispers.
"Let's stay on deck all night," said Ben. "If she capsizes we would stand a better chance here."