In half an hour, the first officer returned on deck with his party, and reported that he had done all he could to secure the fore mast.
"The sea is becoming more regular," the captain said, "now that we are getting further away from the centre of the storm.

We shall soon have the waves racing behind us, like mountains, and we shall have to shake out the fore sail to keep ahead of them.

Now, let us see how they are getting on below." The well was again sounded, and it was found that the water had gained two or three inches.
"When the motion gets a little more regular, Reuben, you must take two or three hands, and work your way aft in the hold, and try and find out where the water is coming in." "I will go at once, sir, if you like." "No," the captain replied, "it must not be thought of.

Everything will be adrift, and you would be crushed to death, to a certainty.
You must wait till we are out of this tumble.

If the water gains no faster than it does now, two or three hours will make no material difference, and by that time I hope we shall have got a regular sea." Finding that there was nothing for him to do, Reuben again turned in.