hip and the impenetrable wrack of foam and mist that barred vision
ahead, and strode off on a tour of inspection. As wind and sea were
now beating more directly on the port side, there was some degree of
shelter along the covered-in deck to starboard. He found that two
boats had been cleared of their hamper and lowered on the davits until
they could be swung in on the promenade deck. The men were thus able
to provision them more easily than in their exposed berths on the spar
deck. He watched the workers for a few minutes, showed them how to
stow and lash some biscuit tins more securely, and continued his
survey, meaning to look in on Walker and the doctor.

He had to pass the cabins set apart for the two girls. The ports were
lighted, and through one window he could see some one peering out at
him. Owing to the thickness of the glass and its blurred condition, he
could not tell whether the occupant was Elsie or Isobel, or Isobel's
maid, but, whoever it was, a hand seemed to signal to him to open the
door.

He unfastened the bolts, and held a half door slightly ajar. Joey,
ever eager to be out of the pelting storm, hopped inside, and Courtenay
heard Elsie exclaim:

"Good gracious, Joey! Where is your life-belt?"

"Do you want anything?" asked Courtenay, through the chink.

Elsie smiled at him. She was wrapped in a heavy ulster, and had a Tam
o' Shanter tied firmly on her head by a stout veil.

"Mr. Malcolm thought we had better bring life-belts from our cabins. I
came for mine, and I looked out and saw you. I wanted to ask you what
had become of Dr. Christobal. I hope you don't mind?"

"Not in the least. I am just going to him. Would you care to come?"

"Oh, I shall be most pleased."

"He is attending the injured men, you know. And there are--others
there, who are beyond his help."

"Perhaps I may be of some assistance."

"Come, then. When I open the door, step out quickly and hold tight to
that rail. And don't move until I tell you."

His manner was curt enough to please the superioress of a nunnery.
Elsie was awed instantly by the glimpse she obtained of the flying scud
within the narrow area of the saloon lights, but she obeyed directions,
and presently found herself clinging desperately to the brass hand-rail
which ran, breast high, along the outer wall of her cabin. She saw
Courtenay kneel to fasten a bolt, and she wondered how a man encumbered
with heavy boots could be so active. T