And it was well that the captain and crew were thus saved from despair.

For before the kettle boiled, the lid of the shaft opened about a foot and something largeish, roundish and lumpish fell heavily and bounced upon the deck of the _Lightning Loose_.
It was a pine-apple, fresh, ripe and juicy.

On its side was carved in large letters of uncertain shape the one word 'WAIT.' It was good advice and they took it.

Really I do not see what else they could have done in any case.

And they ate the pine-apple.