They spoke in half whispers under the influence of the unknown terror.
“If anything happens, I shall keel myself,” declared Deschaillon, with nervous intensity, “but I shall see it first.”
“That's w'ot went with the other two crews—killed theirselves,” chattered Mulcher.
Another silence fell. The cool breeze came as a sort of mockery of their unknown peril. For the first time since the storm every man was thoroughly comfortable physically.
“Boys,” planned Hogan, “whin th' thing comes aboard, we'll put up th' best foight we can!”
“It don't come aboard—it bites a 'ole in th' 'ull.”
“Aye, like th' Minnie B.”
Just then a figure approached the men unsteadily, and Madden saw that Caradoc had recovered consciousness and was able to walk. As the tall, gaunt figure approached, the crew eyed him as if he were some new danger, then he asked.
“What is this? Are we moving?”
“Yes we're off,” replied Madden.
