ery hungry also, and he thought that it
must be day, and as he was afraid of moving by himself, he awoke Robby,
and together they groped their way to the companion-hatch, and,
unfastening it, the bright sunlight streamed full on their dazzled eyes.
The sea had gone down somewhat, but still it washed over the deck,
which was wet and slippery, and so they were afraid to venture on it
lest they should be washed off. Hobby looked around, in the faint hope
that some one might be yet clinging to the vessel, but not one of the
seven men they had left there when they went below remained. Then he
scanned the horizon on every side. Foam-crested, dancing waves alone
were to be seen. Not a sail appeared. Bill now cried out for food.
They could venture to leave the companion-hatch off, and by the light
which streamed down it they were able to hunt about for some. They soon
found some cold meat and biscuit, and fortunately also a jar of water,
and, with these things, quickly appeased their hunger. They had no
fear, indeed, of starving, for there were plenty of fish on board, and
an ample supply of provisions of all sorts, but the cooking-place was
forward, and they could not venture along the deck to get to it. After
their meal their spirits improved. Hobby remarked with confidence that,
as the vessel had floated so long through the worst part of the gale,
she might still weather it out altogether. They could hear, however, by
the rushing sound inside as she rolled, that there was a great deal of
water in her. "We must try and pump it out," said Robby. To do that
they must wait till they could get forward, where the brake of the pump
was kept.

All this time the wind was falling and the sea was going down, and at
last Robby thought that by working their way along the masts they might
reach the forehatch. He led, Bill followed. The hatch was found
partially off. Fortunately, it had not been altogether washed away,
for, as it was, large quantities of water had got down and damaged
everything in the forecastle. Bill, again frightened by the damage the
vessel had sustained, thought that pumping would be of no use.

"It's our duty to pump this vessel--and do so I will, if I can," said
Robby, firmly.

The pump, not without difficulty, was rigged, and they set to work
manfully. It was very hard work too, but it was satisfactory to see the
clear water rushing out through the scuppers, and to believe that none
was coming i