Kari, I should say, would have accompanied
me, but I took a serving-man, bidding Kari bide where he was in the
house in case he might be of service.
At last we came safely to the docks where I found all as my cargo-master
had described. The ship _Blanche_ was in great peril and dragging every
minute towards a pierhead which, if she struck, would stave her in and
make an end of her. The men, too, were still feasting in the inn with
their wharfside trollops, and some of them half drunk. I spoke to them,
showing them their shame, and saying that if they would not come, I and
my man would take a boat and get aboard alone and this upon my wedding
day. Then they hung their heads and came.
We won to the ship safely though with much toil and danger, and there
found the master almost crazed with fear and doubt of the issue, and the
man with him injured by a falling block. Indeed, this poor captain clung
to the rail, watching the cable as it dragged the anchor and fearing
every moment lest it should part.
The rest is soon told. We got out two more anchors and did other things
such as sailors know, to help in such a case.
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