"The boatswain has told me," she said, after a short silence, "that you want to save the ship. I asked him why? Are you angry with me for being curious?"
"Not in the least. What did he answer?"
"He said that you thought the owners would recompense you for your fidelity, and promote you in their service."
"Now how could he know this? I have never spoken such thoughts to him."
"It would not be difficult to guess such a wish."
"Well, I don't know that I have any right to expect promotion or recompense of any kind from owners who send their ship to sea so badly provisioned that the men mutiny."
"But if the water gains upon the ship you will not be able to save her?"
"No, she must sink."
"What will you do then?"
"Put you on shore or on board another ship," I replied, laughing at my own evasion, for I knew what she meant.