d to rise
the more the Captain seemed determined to look gloomily on the outlook.
"You can see for yourself that we are drifting equally as much to the
south as we are sailing towards the coast, and making about the same
progress each way. From this circumstance I have little doubt that
there is a considerable current running southwards; and if so, it may
carry us round the cape--especially should the wind shift to the
northward."

"Aye, if it should!" said Captain Dinks sarcastically.

"I do not really see why it should not," persisted Mr Meldrum, "it has
already veered about a good deal this morning; and, if you remember,
both yesterday afternoon and on the previous day it shifted shortly
after sunset to that very direction."

"Yes, I recollect," said the other with grim humour, "and the shift
brought a snowstorm and a fog with it on each occasion! I hope, really,
with all my heart, Mr Meldrum," he added more heartily, "that the
weather may be as accommodating as you seem to fancy; but, as a matter
of precaution, I will go and see that the boats may be ready, in case we
have to abandon the ship soon, which I think will be the end of it all.
They are both patched up now, so as to be pretty serviceable; and
fortunately, there'll be no difficulty in getting them over the side, as
the bulwarks have been swept away, and all we'll have to do will be to
launch them into the water. I am just going to superintend the stowage
of the provisions and water casks. They are piled on the main-deck
quite handy; and I will see, too, that the oars and sails are not
forgotten."

"Very good," answered Mr Meldrum. "But I hope we sha'n't want them
after all; and, while you are down there, I'll remain here and look
after the pilotage of the ship--that is, if you'll send some one below
in my place to see to my daughters and their arrangements. I have told
Kate already that she must only take the barest necessaries with her, in
case we have to embark in the boats, and above all, not to forget warm
clothing for herself and Florry; so you'd better advise whoever you send
down, to see that Mrs Major Negus does the same. Mr Lathrope is smart
enough to look after himself."

"Aye, aye," said Captain Dinks, as he turned to descend to the main-
deck, "I think I'll send down Frank Harness. He's the most of a ladies'
man on board the ship, and I imagine that he and Miss Kate will get on
pretty well together, eh, Mr Meldrum?"

But the oth