human
My name is Potter, Captain Clark said he
gpt
I just heard your mate call you by name. It’s needless to say anything, sir, about what you are doing for us
human
Yes I answered
gpt
Speaking of grub, Captain, how about fresh water? We haven’t much in the boats, and we’re adding a good many to your ship’s company
human
I’ve water enough to last a hundred men for a month I told him
gpt
Water enough for washing, and all purposes
human
Thank God! said he
gpt
I’ve been worrying about that ever since I came aboard. Your American ships go well provided for
human
Is this your whole outfit, Captain Potter?
gpt
Good God, no! he cried
human
There’s another boat somewhere—if it hasn’t gone down
gpt
We sighted only three. But we’ll find it for you, all in due time
human
It’s the second mate’s boat said he
gpt
The poor fellow was half blind from fighting the fire, but he insisted that he could take charge of a boat. He couldn’t have lost her—he was no more heavily loaded than we were. I expect he’s been left somewhere to windward, Captain; we have drifted away from him. You’d hardly believe it, but we had tough work, rowing our strongest, to keep up with the drift of the vessel. My orders were to keep her in company as long as she burned
human
Well, if your second mate is to windward, we may have difficulty in reaching him I pointed out
gpt
You see how it is, sir; this will be a living gale inside of an hour. But we will do everything possible. Wait till it grows a little lighter. In the meantime, what about these boats of yours?
human
I’m done with them, Captain he answered
gpt
You can do what you like
human
I’ll swing the lifeboats aboard, then, and let the other go said I
gpt
We may have a fire of our own before we reach New York; and my boats would barely accommodate my own ship’s company. Mr. Ridley, rig a preventor lift on the lee main yard-arm, and hoist those two big boats aboard