I scrambled down into the cabin, and almost immediately found Mrs. Waters in my arms.
She was hysterical with fright, and begged me never to leave her.
She was a plump, good-looking woman, and I own that I felt a little flattered at this show of absolute confidence. I took her to the weather side of the cabin, clear of the water, and strove to quiet her, and in a short time she was silent. I then thought that it was about time that I should go on deck and attend to my duties.
As soon as I started to leave, she became nervous again and grasped me tightly.
“You’ll never leave me here alone, Mr. Gore; you’ll never leave me?” she cried.
“No,” said I, mechanically, “I’ll never leave you,” and the words were no sooner out of my mouth than I was aware of a stateroom door being open and a half-smiling, half-frightened face regarding us intently.
“Mr. Gore!” bawled Captain Crojack down the companionway.
“Ay, ay, sir!” I answered, and, freeing myself, I made my way on deck.
The skipper eyed me curiously.
“Better see about getting a new maintopsail ready for bending, and get the foresail close reefed,” he said, with some energy. And I immediately went forward.