d recommend our side, because tide will be running out
from the Medway pretty strong before we get there, and when that is the
case there is a nasty sea at the mouth."

"I think we cannot do better than Leigh," the captain said. "Of course I
am anxious to get on shore as soon as I can to get the women into dry
clothes."

"It will not make more than twenty minutes' difference whether you land
at Leigh or Southend; and it is much handier for landing at Leigh, and
no distance to the inn, where they can get between blankets while their
things are being dried."

"Then Leigh let it be. A few minutes will make no difference one way or
the other, and if they have not caught cold already they will not do so
in that warm cabin."

The wind was blowing far too strongly to admit of conversation, except
in shouted sentences. Fortunately there was a good supply of tobacco on
board, and the rescued sailors, who had almost all a pipe in their
pockets, had, after the smack was once clear of the broken water,
enjoyed the consolation of a smoke.

Accustomed to look down on the water from the high deck of a large
ship, they had at first felt some doubt as to the ability of the low
bawley to struggle safely through the towering waves; but as soon as
they saw how well she behaved, and how little water she took over the
sides, they felt that all danger was over, and became disposed to look
at things more cheerfully.

The steward had, as soon as he came on board, relieved Jack of his
duties at the galley, and had kept the kettles going; he now served out
a second supply of cocoa all round, and hung up as many of the ladies'
things as they could dispense with round the fire to dry.

The passenger had remained below with the ladies. He was suffering from
a broken leg, having been knocked down and swept along by the sea soon
after the vessel struck. Six of the sailors and two of the mates had
either been washed overboard or crushed to death when the masts went
over the side.

As they passed the Nore a perfect fleet of steamers and sailing-vessels
were at anchor there. Tide had turned strongly now, and there was a
nasty heavy choppy sea until the _Bessy_ passed the end of Southend
Pier, when she entered comparatively smooth water. In less than half an
hour the sails were lowered, and she anchored some fifty yards from the
coast-guard station.

The look-out there had already observed the number of people on her
deck, and had guessed at o