The main mast may go, if it likes, and at present we shall be all the better without it, but the foremast we must keep, if we can." "Ay, ay, sir.

I will set about it, at once." Picking out a few of the best hands, the first mate proceeded about the work.
"Go and sound the well, Reuben," the captain said.
Reuben went off at once, and returned in two or three minutes.
"There are four feet of water in it, sir." "Four feet! Are you sure ?" the captain exclaimed.
"Quite sure, sir." The captain handed over the command of the deck to the second officer, and went below with Reuben.

First wiping the rod carefully, he sounded the well.
"You are right," he said.

"It is three inches over the four feet.

I fear that the bumping of the mizzen, before we got rid of it, must have started a butt.