Page:Barbour--Lost island.djvu/93

 "She's been worth a power of money, Mr, Quick," commented Captain Chisholm, "to say nothing of the cargo in her. I guess I 'll just slip over myself and see what sort of a chance there is of doing anything with her. She's been in collision during a gale, and the boat that hit her probably took the men off. We 're within twenty-four hours' run of Charleston. A salvage job like this would just tickle me to death. If it can possibly be done, Mr. Mate, I 'm going to try it."

The captain's inspection of the derelict was not so lengthy.

"There's a sporting chance of getting her into dock," he announced as he climbed back onto the Pacific Queen, "but there is n't a minute to lose. We must get the pumps to work immediately. It will be tricky work, because she may sink like a stone when she does go. Now, Mr. Quick, get that new manila hawser bent on to her, and look alive there. You 'll want a dozen men on her. Better take only volunteers, as it's risky."