"You know we are, Noddy."
"Well, we are; but for all that, the vessel will ride out the gale, and to-morrow you will laugh to think how scared you were."
"I am not scared; I am ready to die. Promise me one thing, Noddy."
"Anything," answered he, promptly.
"You will not blame my father if the vessel is lost. He is insane; he can't help what he does. He never did so before, and I know he don't mean to do wrong."
"I suppose he don't, and I won't blame him, whatever happens," replied he, willing to comfort the poor girl in any way he could.
"I should not care so much if it didn't look as though it was all father's fault."
"It will be all right to-morrow. We will throw the rest of the liquor overboard. We will search through the hold, and not leave a single bottle of anything there. Then we shall be safe."
"It will be too late then," sighed Mollie.
"No, it won't; the vessel will be saved. I know it will," added Noddy, resolutely.