"
The captain hallooed to them, and they returned an answer, but the
wind howled so that they could not be understood.
"A boat! A boat!" shouted the captain. Others of the crew joined in
the call for aid, and made various signs indicating their need of
assistance. But neither party could understand the other.
"What now?" inquired Benjamin, when he saw the men on shore turning
their steps homeward. "A pretty dark night before us."
"Yes, dark and perilous, though I have seen a worse one," answered the
captain. "When we find ourselves in such a predicament, there is only
one thing to be done."
"What is that?" asked Benjamin, who was quite nervous and anxious.
"Do nothing but wait patiently for the wind to abate." The captain was
cool and self-reliant when he spoke.
"Then let us turn in with the Dutchman," said one of the boatmen. "I
don't want he should have all the sleep there is. He is not in
condition to appreciate it as I am."
"As you please," said the captain; "might as well improve the time by
getting a little rest. We shall be all right in the morning."
So all crowded into the hatches, including Benjamin. But the spray
broke over the head of the boat so much that the water leaked through
upon them.
"A wet berth for you, friend," said one of the boatmen to Benjamin.
"You are not accustomed to sleeping in such wet blankets.
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