were taking shelter in the deckhouse. As it was close on four o'clock the watch below soon joined them, and presently Humphries came up on the poop.
"Ah!" said the second mate, "they are done for, poor chaps."
This the skipper heard, and he turned round sharply and roared, "What, with me here? Oh, not much!"
He turned to Wardle.
"Here's your chance for a pair of inscribed binoculars," he said. "I believe she's French, and the French government have generous minds in the way of fittings and inscriptions, Mr. Wardle."
"But in this sea, sir?" stammered the mate. "Why, a boat couldn't live in it for a second, even if we launched one safe, sir."
"I've launched boats in seas to which this was a mere calm," said the skipper ardently. "And if I can't get you or Humphries to go I shall go myself."
"You don't mean it, sir," said the mate; and then the skipper swore many powerful oaths that he did mean it.
"In the meantime we're driftin' down to
