throat a little. It was
not necessary to strangle the man; for he had done for himself.

Meanwhile the waves broke with ever-increasing violence on the frail
bulwark the two bodies offered to their impetuous course, and it was
only a question of moments when they would both be beaten down. Grylls's
knees weakening under him first, down they went, Garth uppermost; and,
the water seizing them, still gripped together, they were rolled over
and over, and finally flung up on the stones.

Stunned, bruised and breathless as he was, Garth was still able to free
himself from the automatic grip of the other man's arms; but Grylls lay
motionless.

Briefly satisfying himself that the man still lived, Garth dragged him
out of reach of the waves, and letting him lie in the driving rain,
turned his attention to the boat.

The _Loseis_ was in a bad way. The waves under her stern had lifted
the driven stakes as easily as pins are drawn from a cushion. She had
immediately swung broadside on the beach; and the waves, crashing under
her counter, were driving over her in clouds of spray while her bottom
heaved, and gave, and pounded sickeningly on the stones. No one on board
required to be told that a very little of this would separate every
plank of her from her aged ribs. The breed boys appeared one by one
from under the coverings; and standing about, dazed and careless of the
downpour, waited to be told what to do. There was no sign of Hooliam.

Garth climbed painfully on board. Searching for the degenerate captain,
he stepped on something soft, and a hollow groan issued from beneath the
sail-cloth. He threw it back, and dislodged the palpitating Hooliam with
a vigorous foot. The breed struggled to his knees, supporting himself by
a guy rope. Just then there was a blinding flash, and the mast and the
wet ropes were wreathed again for an instant in bluish flame. Partly
shocked, but more from abject fear, Hooliam collapsed with a brutish
moan.

"Throw this carrion ashore!" Garth commanded with strong disgust.

The breeds, understanding his gestures, instinctively obeyed; and
Hooliam was dragged over the side, and dropped on the beach, not very
far from the body of his unconscious employer.

"We'll have to save her ourselves!" shouted Garth to Charley. "Translate
my orders!"

The storm had a revolving tendency; and the wind had now hauled to the
south, whence it came shrieking across the lake with unabated fury. A
little way ahea