human
Here's news o' her, Cap'n Joab said in a hushed voice.
gpt
And it ain't good news, Cap'n Silt.
human
What d'ye mean?
gpt
Report from Fayal. A Portugee fisherman's picked up and brought in a boat with 'Curlew' painted on her stern, and he saw spars and wreckage driftin' near the empty boat. There's been a hurricane out there. It--it looks bad, Cap'n Silt.
human
Uncle Amazon! she gasped.
gpt
Not the _Curlew_? Didn't I tell you before? That is the schooner daddy-prof's party sailed upon. Can there be two Curlews?
human
My soul and body!
gpt
Not likely to be two craft of the same name and register--no, my dear, he said, patting her hand.
human
But don't take this so much to heart. It's only rumor. A dozen things might have happened to set that boat adrift. Ain't that so, Cap'n Joab?
gpt
I had no idee the gal's father was aboard that schooner with Cap'n Abe.
human
Why, sure! I forgot it for a minute, Cap'n Amazon said cheerfully.
gpt
There, there, my dear. Don't take on so. Abe's with your father, if so be anything has happened the _Curlew_; and Abe'll take keer o' him. Sure he will! Ain't he a Silt? And lemme tell you a Silt never backed down when trouble riz up to face him. No, sir!
human
But if they have been wrecked? groaned Louise.
gpt
Both father and Uncle Abram. What shall we do about it, Uncle Amazon?