He, an untrained sailor, could not keep his footing there in a storm, and it could be said that it was an accident, as it would be in the fulfilment though not in the intent.

But he divined something else that stopped the mental shudder and that gave him renewed hope.

Why should the captain threaten him with a belaying pin if he did not stay in the cook's galley for two days?
To Robert's mind but one reason appeared, and it was the fear that he should be seen on deck.

And that fear existed because they were yet close to land.

It was all so clear to him that he never doubted and again his heart leaped.