fifteen miles to swim to mainland through an ever-roughening sea, it
was almost impossible that the strongest among them could hope to reach
shore alive.

Yet, desperately anxious as he was to know the news, Jack Benson did
not desert his post by the steering wheel. Some one must be there. Nor
had Hal thought of leaving the engine room.

So the naval lieutenant remained with Benson, duplicating, in those
awful moments, the boy's cool courage.

It was Ewald who presently came running up the stairs to report.

"Mr. Somers orders me to report that there's a little trickle of water
coming in between two plates about twelve feet abaft of the bow, sir.
But Mr. Somers believes that, even without pumping, we could run
forty miles without serious danger, sir."

Knowing his friend's ability and good judgment as he did, Jack Benson
stood ready to accept that report, without question. But Lieutenant
Danvers inquired:

"Did you see the leak, Ewald?"

"Yes, sir."

"What do you think about it?"

"Why, sir, I agree with Mr. Somers."