The Face and the Mask by Robert Barr
page 164 of 280 (58%)
page 164 of 280 (58%)
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It was indeed so. The great ship was thrashing the water with her screw, and gradually the masts came in line and then her prow faced the east again. When this had been slowly accomplished the bell on the Adamant rang full speed ahead, and then the captain came slowly down the ladder that led from the bridge. "Oh, captain, what does it all mean?" "Is she going back, captain? Nothing wrong, I hope." "What ship is it, captain?" "She belongs to our line, doesn't she?" "Why is she going back?" "The ship," said the captain slowly, "is the Vulcan, of the Black Bowling Line, that left Queenstown shortly after we left New York. She has met with an accident. Ran into some wreckage, it is thought, from the recent storm. Anyhow there is a hole in her, and whether she sees Queenstown or not will depend a great deal on what weather we have and whether her bulkheads hold out. We will stand by her till we reach Queenstown." "Are there many on board, do you think, captain?" "There are thirty-seven in the cabin and over 800 steerage passengers," answered the captain. |
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