"Well, n-o," answered the Captain slowly, "I had not thought of that, I must confess, for I do not believe that such a thing is at all likely to happen. But I am very much obliged to you for mentioning it, Mr Trimble, for `forewarned is forearmed,' and in circumstances like the present it is our bounden duty to take every possible precaution for the safety of the ship. I am still of opinion that unless something unforeseen--such, for instance, as the occurrence which you have just suggested--should happen, we shall weather the point, and go clear; but, to provide against anything of that sort, Mr Howard," turning to the first luff, "be good enough to see everything ready for club-hauling the ship. Have the best bower-cable ranged, double-bitt it, and stopper it at, say, thirty fathoms. Mr Galway--where is Mr Galway? Mr Delamere, be good enough to find Mr Galway, and say I want him--or--no, tell him that it may be necessary to club-haul the ship, and request him to muster the carpenter and his mates below, ready to cut away the best bower at the instant that I give the word. Then come back to me; I may want you." "Ay, ay, sir," I answered, touching my hat; and away I went, heading for the second lieutenant's cabin. I met him just coming out, somebody having already passed the word that the Captain wanted him. I delivered the skipper's message, received his assurance that all should be ready, and then returned to the quarter-deck. Presently Mr Howard returned to inform Captain Vavassour that his orders had been carried out. "Very well, sir," answered the skipper. "Let the men go to their stations for tacking ship. Hands by the best bower-anchor! Oblige me, Mr Howard, by seeing personally that the anchor is all ready for letting go, and also that it is let go on the instant, should I give the order. If at the last moment it should become necessary to club-haul, I will personally take charge. Mr Delamere, find one of the boatswain's mates and station him below at the main hatchway, in such a position that he can see you on deck here, with instructions to wind his call to cut the cable the moment that he receives the signal which I will pass on to you."