She looked at me earnestly, as though she believed that this was the case and that I would not frighten her by telling her so. I had learnt to interpret the language of her eyes by this time, and answered her doubts as though she had expressed them.
"I should tell you at once if there was any danger threatened in that way," I said. "There was more water in the ship than I cared to find in her, and so the three of us have been pumping her out."
"About them watches, Mr. Royle?" exclaimed the boatswain.
"Well, begin afresh, if you like," I replied. "I'll take the wheel for two hours, and then you can relieve me."
"Why will you not let me take my turn at the wheel?" said Miss Robertson.
The boatswain laughed.
"I have proved to you that I know how to steer."
"Well, that's right enough," said the boatswain.
"All three of you can lie down, then."
I smiled and shook my head.