thoughtfully; "but--I am sorry to
leave you, all the same."

"Hah! That makes me feel warm," cried Saint Simon--"that and the
knowledge that the horses can't get loose. There, go on down. After
all, he's worse off than we."

Denis crept along by the bulwarks till he could reach the cabin hatch,
lowered himself down to where a vile-odoured lamp was swinging from the
cabin ceil, and then, moving slowly, having hard work to keep his feet,
he reached the spot where the suffering monarch lay, to find to his
great relief that Francis had sunk into a deep sleep, and was breathing
heavily, leaving him nothing to do but sit down and watch.

CHAPTER SIX.

HOW TO LAND HORSES.

It was a long and dreary night, full of suffering; but, like the worst,
it slowly came to an end. The grey dawn began to creep through the dim
skylight, grew stronger and brighter, and at last the sun arose, with
the King still sleeping profoundly, and Denis standing at the top of the
cabin ladder, gazing out over a glorious foaming sea, all purple,
orange, and gold, wide awake to the beauty of the scene, and ready to
wonder what had become of the horror and darkness of the night.

There was a fresh breeze blowing and the sea was rough, but the clumsy
craft rode more easily and had ceased to pitch and toss. Far ahead too
the sea looked smoother, and so Denis said to the rough-looking skipper,
who came up with a nod and smile.

"Only looks so," he said, "because it is so far off. But the wind is
going down, and in a couple of hours we shall be in smooth water. How's
your master?"

"Fast asleep still," replied Denis.

"Best thing for a man not used to the sea. Well, you see, we shall get
your horses over safely. Poor beasts! They are worse sailors than men.
How are you? Feel as if you could eat some breakfast?"

"Yes, I'm getting horribly hungry."

"That's right. You are the best sailor of the lot. There will be some
in an hour's time."

The skipper passed on, leaving Denis with a look of disgust upon his
features, for he was thinking of the roughness of the common vessel upon
which they had been obliged to take their passage, and the pleasant meal
of which he would have eaten at Fontainebleau.

Just then Saint Simon turned, caught sight of him, and signalled to him
to come. Denis started, hesitated, and then ran down into the cabin
again to see whether the King had awakened. But far from it: he was
flat on his back and loo