espond
to any order to shorten down. That is why they are for'ard, in that
pigsty of a forecastle, because they lack the iron. Well, I can say only
this: If nothing else could have prevented the funk hinted at by
Margaret, the sorry spectacle of these ironless, spineless creatures was
sufficient safeguard. How could I funk in the face of their weakness--I,
who lived aft in the high place?

Margaret did not disdain the aid of my hand as she climbed upon the pin-
rail at the foot of the weather jigger-rigging. But it was merely the
recognition of a courtesy on her part, for the next moment she released
her mittened hand from mine, swung boldly outboard into the face of the
gale, and around against the ratlines. Then she began to climb. I
followed, almost unaware of the ticklishness of the exploit to a tyro, so
buoyed up was I by her example and by my scorn of the weaklings for'ard.
Where men could go, I could go. What men could do, I could do. And no
daughter of the Samurai could out-game me.

Yet it was slow work. In the windward rolls against the storm-gusts one
was pinned helplessly, like a butterfly, against the rigging. At such
times, so great was the pressure one could not lift hand nor foot. Also,
there was no need for holding on. As I have said, one was pinned against
the rigging by the wind.

Through the snow beginning to drive the deck grew small beneath me, until
a fall meant a broken back or death, unless one landed in the sea, in
which case the result would be frigid drowning. And still Margaret
climbed. Without pause she went out under the overhanging platform of
the top, shifted her holds to the rigging that went aloft from it, and
swung around this rigging, easily, carelessly, timing the action to the
roll, and stood safely upon the top.

I followed. I breathed no prayers, knew no qualms, as I presented my
back to the deck and climbed out under the overhang, feeling with my
hands for holds I could not see. I was in an ecstasy. I could dare
anything. Had she sprung into the air, stretched out her arms, and
soared away on the breast of the gale, I should have unhesitatingly
followed her.

As my head outpassed the edge of the top so that she came into view, I
could see she was looking at me with storm-bright eyes. And as I swung
around the rigging lightly and joined her, I saw approval in her eyes
that was quickly routed by petulance.

"Oh, you've done this sort of thing before," she