When this was done, he aided the marines in nailing tarpaulins over the cabin skylights, and then went round the deck, seeing that every movable article was securely lashed.

When this was done he joined Bill who, with some others, had been at work securing all the hatches.

The convicts had long since been all sent below.
"Shall I send my men down, captain ?" Mr.Mason asked.
"There is no occasion for it, just at present; but you had better pass the word for all of them to hold on, when the gale strikes her.

That will be the critical moment.

Once past that, she will be all right till the sea begins to rise.