Seagrave was hanging her
head out of her standing bed-place, frightened out of her wits at the
accident, but unable to be of any assistance. Fortunately, Mr. Seagrave
came down just in time to pick up Juno and the baby, and then tried to
comfort little Caroline, who after all was not much scalded, as the
soup had had time to cool.
"Massa Tommy is a very naughty boy," cried Juno, rubbing her leg.
Master Tommy thought it better to say nothing - he was duly admonished
- the steward cleaned up the mess, and order was at length restored.
In the meantime, they were not idle upon deck; the carpenter was busy
fixing a step for one of the spare topmasts instead of a mainmast, and
the men were fitting the rigging; the ship unfortunately had sprung a
leak, and four hands at the pumps interfered very much with their task.
As Ready had prophesied, before night the gale blew, the sea rose again
with the gale, and the leaking of the vessel increased so much, that
all other labour was suspended for that at the pump. For two more days
did the storm continue, during which time the crew were worn out with
fatigue - they could pump no longer: the ship, as she rolled, proved
that she had a great deal of water in her hold - when, melancholy as
were their prospects already, a new disaster took place, which was
attended with most serious results.
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