Merefleet examined it in silence.
The girl's voice, high, with a quiver in it that might have stood for either laughter or consternation, broke in on him.
"Well," she said, "I guess we're in the suds this time, Big Bear; and no mistake about it." Merefleet glanced at her helplessly.

He did not think she realised the gravity of the situation, but something in the little smile that twitched her lips undeceived him.
"The sea was full of boats a little while ago," he said.

"They have probably gone in for the lunch hour.

But they will be out again presently.

We shall have to drift about for a while and then run up a distress signal.