Had I dared, with the present danger signal in the captain's face, I should only have been reminded of my position as supercargo--an office never touched upon in kindness--and advised, in a very indigestible manner, to go below.

There was nothing for it, therefore, but to entertain my vague apprehensions as best I should be able, until it pleased the captain to enlighten me of his own accord.
This he did sooner than I had expected; as soon, indeed, as the Chinaman had summoned us to breakfast, and we sat face to face across the narrow board.
"See here, Mr.Dodd," he began, looking at me rather queerly, "here is a business point arisen.

This sea's been running up for the last two days, and now it's too high for comfort.

The glass is falling, the wind is breezing up, and I won't say but what there's dirt in it.

If I lay her to, we may have to ride out a gale of wind and drift God knows where--on these French Frigate Shoals, for instance.