the want of keeping a pump going for a day or two? There are four
men and a boy all resolved, and we'll _manage_ it," he added
emphatically.

"The yacht is in no fit state for the young lady, anyway," said the
second mate. "Now, sir, and you, madam, if you are ready," and he put
his head over the side to look at his boat.

I helped Grace to stand, and whilst I supported her I extended my hand
to Caudel.

"God bless you and send you safe home!" said I; "your pluck and
determination make me feel but half a man. But my mind is resolved
too. Not for worlds would Miss Bellassys and I pass another hour in
this craft."

He shook me cordially by the hand, and respectfully bade Grace
farewell. The others of my crew approached, leaving one pumping, and
amongst the strong fellows on deck and over the side--sinewy arms to
raise and muscular fists to receive her--Grace, white and shrinking and
exclaiming, was handed dexterously and swiftly down over the side.
Watching my chance, I sprang, and plumped heavily but safely into the
boat. The second mate then followed and we shoved off.

The crew of the yacht raised a cheer and waved their caps to us, and I
felt heartily grieved to leave them. They had behaved well throughout
the wild hours of storm now passed, and it seemed but a poor return, so
to speak, on my part to quit the yacht in this fashion, as if, indeed,
I was abandoning them to their fate, though, of course, they had made
up their minds and knew very well what they were about; so that it was
little more than sensitiveness that made me think of them as I did
whilst I watched them flourishing to me and listened to their cheers.

By this time, the light that I had taken notice of in the east had
brightened; there were breaks in it, with here and there a dim view of
blue sky, and the waters beneath had a gleam of steel as they rolled
frothless and swollen. In fact, it was easy to see that fine weather
was at hand, and this assurance it was that reconciled me as nothing
else could to the fancy of Caudel and my little crew carrying the
leaking, crippled yacht home.

The men in the boat pulled sturdily, eyeing Grace and me out of the
corner of their eyes, and gnawing upon the hunks of tobacco in their
cheeks, as though in the most literal manner they were chewing the cud
of the thoughts put into them by this encounter. The second mate
uttered a remark or two about the weather, but the business of the
tiller held h