"I'm very sorry to hear it, Mr Fortescue," he answered.  "I don't like the look of things at all.  The ship has been most terrible uneasy for several hours now, and I'm afraid we shall find that she's been strainin' badly.  It might not be amiss to sound the well; and if, as I fear, we find that she's been takin' water in through her seams, I'd advise--"