There was a grunt of approbation from the Pelicans; and Amyas returned
to the charge.

"We have five shots between wind and water, and one somewhere below.
Can we face a gale of wind in that state, or can we not?"

Silence.

"Can we get home with a leak in our bottom?"

Silence.

"Come along now! Here's the wind again round with the sun, and up to
the northwest. In shore with her."

Sulkily enough, but unable to deny the necessity, the men set to work,
and the vessel's head was put toward the land; but when she began to
slip through the water, the leak increased so fast that they were kept
hard at work at the pumps for the rest of the afternoon.

The current had by this time brought them abreast of the bay of
Higuerote. As they ran inward, all eyes were strained greedily to find
some opening in the mangrove belt: but none was to be seen for some
time. The lead was kept going; and every fresh heave announced
shallower water.

"We shall have very shoal work of those mangroves, Yeo," said Amyas; "I
doubt whether we shall do aught now, unless we find a river's mouth."