all his might, for the danger of
swamping was imminent. Presently Patricia touched him upon the arm. "I
will bail if you will see to Regulus," she said, in a low, strained
voice. "I think he is dead."

Landless resigned the pail into her hands and lifted the negro's head
and shoulders from the water in which he was lying, pillowing them upon
the stern seat. He was unconscious, and bleeding from a cut on the
forehead.

"He is not dead nor like to die," Landless said. "He will revive before
long."

The girl gave a long, quivering sigh of relief. Landless finished the
bailing and sat down at her feet.

Some time later she asked faintly: "Do you not think the worst is over
now?"

"I am afraid not," he answered gently. "There is a lull now, but I am
afraid the storm is but gathering its forces. But we will hope for the
best--"

Another flash and crash cut him short. It was followed by rain that
fell, not in drops, but in sheets. The wind, which had been blowing a
heavy gale, rose suddenly into a tornado. With it rose the sea. The
masses of water, hissing and smoking under the furious pelting of the
rain, flung themselves upon the hapless Bluebird, laboring heavily in
the trough of the waves, or staggering over their summits. A constant
glare lit the heaving, tossing world of waters, and the air became one
roar of wind, rain, and thunder.

Darkeih crouched moaning at her mistress' feet. Regulus lay unconscious,
breathing heavily. Suddenly, with a quick intake of his breath,
Landless seized Patricia, pulled her down into the bottom of the boat,
and held her there.

"I see," she said in a low, awed voice. "It is Death!"

Through the glare a long green wall bore down upon them. The Bluebird
leaped to meet it. It lifted her up, up to meet the lightning, then
hurled her into black depths, and passed on, leaving her staggering in
the trough, water-logged and helpless.

CHAPTER XVI

THE FACE IN THE DARK

Patricia lifted her white face from her hands. "We rode that dreadful
wave?" she cried incredulously.

"By God's mercy, yes," said Landless gravely.

"Is there any hope for us?"

Landless hesitated. "Tell me the truth," she said imperiously.

"We are in desperate case, madam. The boat is half filled with water.
Another such sea will sink us."

"Why do you not bail the boat?"

"The bucket is gone; the tiller also."

She shivered, and Darkeih began to wail aloud. Landless laid a heavy
hand upon the