"
"At present she seems motionless."
"Yes, she is not at present receiving any damage. It will be a sad day
when she goes to pieces," continued the mate, gravely.
"Yes, but it will hardly make our position worse. There is no chance
of our making any use of her, I take it."
"You don't quite understand me," said Holdfast. "A sailor gets to feel
an attachment for the craft he sails on, and she seems to him
something like a living creature. This is my first voyage on the old
Nantucket, but it will grieve me to see her disappear."
It was not easy to decide of what the boat's load should consist. In
the main, provisions were taken as an article of first necessity. Some
clothing, also, was selected, and among the rest, at Harry's instance,
an extra pair of Mr. Clinton's trousers.
It was decided not to make another trip to the ship that day.
Mr. Holdfast expressed the opinion that the Nantucket was not in any
immediate danger of going to pieces, and there was much other work in
hand.
"Do you know anything about the climate here, Mr. Holdfast?" asked the
professor.
"I don't think it is ever cold. It is too far south for that."
"I mean as to the chance of rain. I am told that in these tropical
places, rain comes on very suddenly at times.
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