“It shall be done at once,” said Sackett.  “I shall request, sir,” said he, turning to me, “that the irons be stricken off your man.”

I told Chips to go ahead and cut them, and then followed Miss Sackett and the third mate below, to get what belongings they wanted sent aboard the Pirate to be kept clear of water.

“It’s a pity papa will do this absurd thing,” said Miss Sackett, impetuously, as she landed upon the cabin deck.  I was following close behind her on the companion and hastened to cheer her.

“There’s not much danger,” I said; “for the vessel can’t possibly sink with all the oil and wood in her.  He will probably bring her in all right and save many thousands of dollars.  Maybe the carpenter can find the leak and plug it.  In that case she’ll be as sound as a dollar and safe as a house, when they get her pumped.”

“I don’t know about it,” she answered; “I feel that papa is going to his death, and I know that if mamma finds out he won’t leave, she’ll come back aboard.  Here is one trunk.  That chest under the berth is to go also.  I’ll get what clothes I can gather up, and bring them along in a bundle.  Goodness! hear the water slapping about under the deck; it is perfectly dreadful to think of any one staying aboard a ship half sunk like this.”

The steward, a very clever-looking young man with a brown mustache, helped us get the things on deck, where they were taken in charge by the rest of the men, seven in number, who were going with us.

While we were below, Chips, after cutting Andrews adrift, tried to find out where the leak was located.  The vessel’s hold was so full of water, however, that he gave up the search.  Only a survey of her bilge outside would help clear up matters, and allow work upon it.

Captain Sackett had taken an observation and had figured himself out to be within six hundred miles of Cape Town.  He was very thankful for our kindness and stood near by, wishing us all kinds of good luck, while the things were being lowered over the ship’s low side.  In a few minutes all hands were called to get into the Pirate’s boat, the one of the Sovereign being left for the safety of those on board.  Miss Sackett took a tearful farewell of her father, and was placed aft.  Then we shoved off, and were soon leaving the half-sunken ship astern.

“Cap’n,” said Jenks, who sat aft near me, “what d’ye make o’ that?”

He pointed to a white bank of vapor which had rolled up from the southward, and suddenly enveloped the Sovereign while we were still two cable lengths distant.  I looked and saw the white mist, which we had not noticed before to be so dense, rolling in long white clouds upon the calm surface of the ocean.  In a moment it had enveloped us, and all around us was a white wall, the Pirate disappearing ahead.  The swell also appeared to be getting a cross roll to it, and a light air now blew in our faces.