Caudel, pointing
at our wrecked and naked masts, "what our state is. The owner and a
lady's aboard, and want to leave the yacht. Will you stand by till you
can receive 'em, sir?"

The man with the speaking trumpet lifted his hand in token of having
heard, which somewhat astonished me, for though Caudel's lungs were
very powerful and piercing, we were not only to leeward of the ship,
but the wind, pouring dead on to us from her, was full of whistlings
and yells, and the clamour of colliding and breaking seas.

The man with the speaking trumpet appeared to consult with another
figure that had drawn to his side. He then took a long look round at
the weather, and afterwards put the tube again to his mouth.

"Yacht ahoy!"

"Halloa!"

"We will stand by you; but we cannot launch a boat yet. Does the water
gain rapidly upon you?"

"We can keep her afloat for some hours, sir."

The man again elevated his hand, and crossed to the weather side of his
ship to signify, I presume, that there was nothing more to be said.

"In two or three hours, sir, you and the lady'll be safe aboard," cried
Caudel; "the wind's failing fast, and by that time the sea'll be flat
enough for one of that craft's fine boats."

I re-entered the cabin, and found Grace standing, supporting herself at
the table. Her attitude was full of expectancy and fear.

"What have they been crying out on deck, Herbert?" she exclaimed.

"There is a big ship close beside us, darling," I answered; "the
weather is fast moderating, and by noon I hope to have you safe on
board of her."

"On board of her!" she cried, with her eyes large with wonder and
alarm. "Do you mean to leave the yacht?"

"Yes; I have heart enough to tell you the truth now, Grace; she has
sprung a leak and is taking in water rapidly, and we must abandon her."

She dropped upon the locker with her hands clasped.

"Do you tell me she is sinking, Herbert?"

"We must abandon her," I cried; "put on your hat and jacket, my
darling. The deck is comparatively safe now, and I wish the people on
board the ship to see you."

She was so overwhelmed, however, by the news, that she appeared
incapable of motion. I procured her jacket and hat, and presently
helped her to put them on, and then, grasping her firmly by the waist,
I supported her to the companion steps, and carefully, and with
difficulty, got her on deck, making her sit under the lee of the
weather bulwark, where she would be vis