Certain it was, the mate snored most strangely; and no wonder, with that crooked bugle of his.

When he came to himself it was just dawn, but quite light enough to show two boats gone from the side.

In an instant he knew what had happened.
Dragging the Mowree out of an old sail where he was napping, he ordered him to clear away another boat, and then darted into the cabin to tell the captain the news.

Springing on deck again, he drove down into the forecastle for a couple of oarsmen, but hardly got there before there was a cry, and a loud splash heard over the side.

It was the Mowree and the boat--into which he had just leaped to get ready for lowering--rolling over and over in the water.
The boat having at nightfall been hoisted up to its place over the starboard quarter, someone had so cut the tackles which held it there, that a moderate strain would at once part them.