rushing through the rigging with
almost hurricane force. But I made my way to the forecastle-hatch,
where Mr Preddle was still on guard, as I could see by the light of the
swaying lantern, and Mr Brymer was with him.

"Ah, Dale," he cried, "I'm glad you've come. I want you to stay on
guard with Mr Preddle. You have a pistol?"

"Yes," I said, pointing to my belt.

"That's right. I want to go to the wheel. Hampton is there now. I
should like to do more, but it is terrible work now, short-handed as we
are; and we must run on in this blind fashion, for I have no idea where
we are."

Just at that moment there was a tremendous crack overhead, followed by a
snapping as of pistol-shots; for one of the sails had got loose, and was
now being torn into ribbons, which snapped and cracked like so many
cart-whips on a gigantic scale.

"Is that dangerous?" I shouted, for the wind carried away my voice.

"No; a blessing, my lad. It will save her. I only want steering power.
Look here, don't fire unless you are obliged. If you do, mind, I take
it as a signal that you want help, both of you; and then of course we
shall come to your help. But what about Mr Denning?"

As he spoke, the invalid came struggling along by the bulwarks, and I
ran to help him to where he could stand in shelter.

"Glad to see you, Mr Denning. Ah, that's right. Rather a small
pistol, but I dare say it can do its duty. You will help them?"

"As far as my strength will let me," he said.

"That's right. Now, Mr Preddle, I must go. Sorry about your fish, but
we can do nothing till the weather mends."

"No, I'm afraid not," Mr Preddle yelled.

"I don't hear that crying out now."

"No; I haven't heard it since Mr Dale came," panted Mr Preddle, with
the wind driving his words back so that he could hardly get his breath.

"That must wait too. The safety of the ship is all we can look to now."

He made a dash for the weather-bulwark, and disappeared at once into the
darkness and mist of spray which flew before the gale, hissing by us,
and drenching us to the skin.

"You ought to have brought a waterproof, Mr Denning," I said.

"Who could think of waterproofs at a time like this?" he said, with his
lips to my ear. Then with a start, as he turned his head and looked
forward--"What's that?"

I had heard a cry as he spoke.

"I don't know," I said. "Why, it must be some one wounded crying for
help."

"It is what Mr Brymer and I heard s