the larboard tack, and looking over the side
observed that the bottom of the yawning gap was thus raised nearly three
feet out of the water.

"Tom," said he, resuming his place at the wheel, "go and nail a bit of
canvas over that hole. You'll find materials down below. We'll have to
steer into port on this tack, 'cause if we try to go on the other,
she'll sink like a stone. I only hope the wind'll hold as it is. Look
alive now!"

In a few minutes the little craft was away and the captain of the
steamer, seeing that she did not sink, continued his course.

Next day Haco Barepoles steered the "Coal-Coffin" triumphantly into the
port of London, with a hole in her side big enough, if Tom Grattan's
report is to be believed, "to admit of a punt bein' row'd d'rect from
the sea into the hold!"

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

GAFF AND BILLY BECOME THE SPORT OF FORTUNE, AND SEE STRANGE THINGS.

The steamer which had run down the sloop of Haco Barepoles was a large
iron one, which had just set out on a voyage to the West Indies.

Being anxious to send on shore the men whom he had so unexpectedly
picked up at sea, the captain hailed the first inward-bound vessel he
met with, and put them on board. It was found, however, that the blow
received by Stephen Gaff had been more severe than was at first
imagined, and the doctor advised that he should not be moved until
farther down the Channel. He and Billy were therefore retained on
board; but when the steamer passed the Isle of Wight, the weather became
thick and squally, and continued so for several days, so that no vessel
could be spoken with.

In these circumstances the captain was compelled to carry Gaff and his
boy away to sea, much to the regret of the former, who was curious to
know what the news could be that was to be to his advantage in London,
besides being grieved at the anxiety his sudden disappearance with Billy
would cause to his wife.

The Bu'ster did not by any means share the regret or grief of his
father. To that amiable cherub the whole affair was a piece of
unexpected and unparalleled good fortune. It was the realisation to
some extent of his rapturous dreams of travel and adventure in foreign
lands, and it freed him, at one fell swoop, from the iron yoke of his
mother.

Billy, although he congratulated himself on the deliverance, did,
strange to say, shed a few tears in memory of his mother, for the boy
had an affectionate disposition, and really loved