We had to tend ship while the breeze held off if we would do anything with her presently.

She was not of the largest build, but both Bertric and I knew that it would be all that we three could do, one of us being a landsman moreover, to handle her if it came on to blow at all freshly.
Now, I would not have it thought that we three castaways were much in the mind to puzzle over the ship which we had gained, almost against hope.

It was enough for us to rejoice in the feel of firm planks under our feet once more, and to find naught terrible, but promise of all we needed, while the strain of the longboat voyage with its ever-present peril was over.

Dalfin broke that first short silence.
"I am desperately hungry," he said.

"Surely there will be food on board ?" The breeze freshened up again, and the sail flattened against the mast with a clap, and the ship quivered.