I invited them all down into the forward cabin, and assigned the mate to the spare berth there. The others must sleep on the floor, for we could do nothing better for them.
"Mr. Mate, where is your captain?" I asked.
"I don't think he came below, sir. He is feeling very badly about the loss of his vessel," replied the mate. "I will try to find him."
He went on deck with me, and we found him coiled away under the topgallant forecastle. I invited him to come into the pilot-house, and he followed me thither.
"I am sorry for your misfortune, Captain," I said, when he had seated himself abaft the wheel.
"It is a sorry night for me. My vessel is lost, and I have not the least idea how it happened," he replied, very sadly.
I did my best to comfort him. I saw that he was quite as much exhausted by his mental sufferings as by his physical exertions. I conducted him to my state-room, and gave him my berth. In a short time he was asleep.
CHAPTER XIII.
A NIGHT LOST IN THE STORM.