the wind, but it had now veered round to the north-east.

"We are getting well down now," Godfrey said. "We have been sailing for
five days, and we have certainly been running a good three miles an hour
from the time we rounded the cape. So we are three hundred and fifty
miles down. I should say we must be entering Kara Bay."

"Very bad weather coming," Luka said looking back.

Godfrey turned round. A heavy black cloud was sweeping up with a misty
line below it.

"By Jove, you are right; that is a big squall and no mistake. There is
no bay to run to here, Luka, and we could not get there in time if there
was. We must do as I talked about. Quick, lower the sail down, there is
not a moment to lose. No, wait until I bring her up head to the wind.
Now, then, down with it. Now unstep the mast, lash that and the boom,
the other sail, and its spar together; that is the way." And with their
joint efforts the work was accomplished in a couple of minutes. "Now,
then, fasten this rope to your end, Luka; I will tie the other end to
mine. That is right. It is long enough to make a good big angle. Now
fasten the head-rope to the middle; be sure it is put in the middle,
Luka. That is right. Now, launch it overboard."

The work was done as quickly as it is described, and in three minutes
from the time the mast was lowered the canoe was riding to the floating
anchor.

"Now then, Luka, on with the apron."

"Shall we sit up?"

"No; we will lie down, cover up the holes, and lash them carefully when
we are in. It is going to be a drencher, and it is of no use our getting
wet through to begin with. We could not do anything with the paddles."

They had scarcely made themselves snug when, with a roar, a deluge of
rain fell on the deck and cover, and a moment later even this sound was
partly deadened by the howl of the wind. Although their heads were close
together, Godfrey felt that it would be utterly useless to make any
remark. He felt under no uneasiness, for, with their weight well down
and anchored head to sea, he felt sure that the light canoe would ride
over anything like a cork bottle. The motion of the boat rapidly
increased, but she herself rode lightly over the waves. As these
increased the jerking of the boat behind at her rope became more and
more violent, and the canoe quivered from end to end with the shocks.

"This will never do," Godfrey said to himself. "The boat will pull the
stern out of her. It will be an awful