s he took his seat in the
great basket, through the agency of which, by threes and fours at a
time, the passengers were swung off the _Amatikulu_ and deposited with a
thump on the streaming decks of the little tug-boat. Nothing delighted
the grinning salts so much as to note the aspect of each human basketful
as it tumbled out, scared and flurried, or mirthful and cheery,
according to temperament, upon the heaving deck of its new and
uncommonly lively resting-place, and the gleeful alacrity with which
they hoisted up the empty basket for a load of fresh victims, spoke
volumes for the genuineness of the pleasure too many people take in the
misfortunes of their neighbours.

"I say, my hearties, I must trouble you to get below," said the
parchment-faced skipper of the tug, hailing our two young friends. The
boat was rapidly nearing the worst part, plunging and rolling in the
furiously increasing seas.

"I'd rather stay on deck," expostulated Gerard.

"Dare say you would--and get washed overboard. Then what'd be said to
me I'd like to know?"

"Is it as bad as that?" said Harry Maitland, in a scared tone.

"It is so. Time we came out before this, we had a couple of black
fellows washed clean overboard. There was a tow-rope out, luckily for
them, or they'd never have come up again. Now then, get below, will
you? it's time to batten."

Harry needed no second warning. Down he went into the dark, stuffy
little cabin. But Gerard still hesitated.

"Let him stay, captain," said Mr Kingsland, who had overheard the
dialogue, and who, moreover, was acquainted with that functionary.
"He'll know how to take care of himself."

"Oh, all right; he'll have to, then. Here, mister, stand there forrard
the companion, and lay hold of that ringbolt. Hang on to it, mind--hang
on to it by your teeth and your eyelashes for all you know, or you'll
find yourself overboard in less than a duck's whisper. We are going to
get it lively in a minute."

So saying, he jumped on to the bridge to take the wheel from his
subordinate, while Gerard, resolving to follow that advice which related
to "hanging on," looked around upon the situation.

Up went the boat's head suddenly with a smooth slide, up a great hill of
water, from whose summit it seemed she must leap right on to that of the
lofty wooded bluff rising on her port bow. Then a mighty plunge; the
foam flew in a deafening hiss from her bows, breaking on and pouring
knee-deep alon