We pass over the explanations that followed, as every one will readily understand them. Captain Truck listened to Paul like one in a trance, and it was some time after the young man had done before he spoke. With a wish to cheer him, he was told of the ample provision of stores that had been brought off in the launch, of the trade winds that had now apparently set in, and of the great probability of their all reaching the islands in safety. Still the old man made no reply; he got on the roof of his own launch, and paced backwards and forwards rapidly, heeding nothing. Even Eve spoke to him unnoticed, and the consolations offered by her father were not attended to. At length he stopped suddenly, and called for his mate. "Mr. Leach?" "Sir." "Here is a category for you!" "Ay, ay, sir; it's bad enough in its way; still we are better off than the Danes." "You tell me, sir," turning to Paul, "that these foul blackguards were actually on the deck of the ship?" "Certainly, Captain Truck. They took complete possession; for we had no means of keeping them off." "And the ship is ashore?" "Beyond a question." "Bilged?" "I think not. There is no swell within the reef, and she lies on sand." "We might have spared ourselves the trouble, Leach, of culling these cursed spars, as if they had been so many toothpicks." "That we might, sir; for they will not now serve as oven-wood, for want of the oven." "A damnable category, Mr. Effingham! I'm glad you are safe, sir; and you, too, my dear young lady--God bless you!--God bless you!--It were better the whole line should be in their power than one like you!" The old seaman's eyes filled as he shook Eve by the hand, and for a moment he forgot the ship. "Mr. Leach?" "Sir." "Let the people have their breakfasts, and bear a hand about it. We are likely to have a busy morning, sir. Lift the kedge, too, and let us drift down towards these gentry, and take a look at them. We have both wind and current with us now, and shall make quick work of it." The kedge was raised, the sails were all set, and, with the two launches lashed together, the whole line of boats and spars began to set to the southward at a rate that would bring them up with the inlet in about two hours. "This is the course for the Cape de Verds, gentlemen," said the captain bitterly. "We shall have to pass before our own door to go and ask hospitality of strangers. But let the people get their breakfasts, Mr. Leach; just let the boys have one comfortable meal before they take to their oars." Eat himself, however, Mr. Truck would not. He chewed the end of a cigar, and continued walking up and down the roof. In half an hour the people had ended their meal, the day had fairly opened, and the boats and raft had made good progress. "Splice the main-brace, Mr. Leach," said the captain, "for we are a littled jammed. And you, gentlemen, do me the favour to step this way for a consultation. This much is due to your situation."