Andy, holding the lantern well behind his head, slowly descended, but at two steps from the bottom of the ladder his feet encountered water. At the same time a deafening bellow echoed in the confined space.
"Great snakes!" he exclaimed, "it's an ox!"
"Poor brute, it's nearly drowned, and half starved into the bargain. And here is a pen full of sheep. I wonder where they keep the fodder?"
"Here's some pressed hay," announced Andy after a short examination. "And I don't think the salt water has touched it."
"Throw some down in that corner," continued his companion, pointing to a part of the flat that the sea, by reason of the ship's list, had not reached. "We'll let the brutes loose; they can't do much damage."
"Now set to, lads," exclaimed Mr. McKay, when they returned to the saloon, and found Terence with a regular store of provisions—the loot of the steward's pantry. "Make a good meal, for our future movements are uncertain."
"It will be light in another hour," remarked Andy.
"And the sea's going down," chimed in the apprentice.
"And our spirits are rising," added Terence.
"You speak for yourself, Terry, my boy," replied Andy, laughing. "Your spirits were low enough a few days ago."