rcely gathered our wits once more about us when the
flood-gates of heaven were opened and down came the rain. I had heard a
great deal, at one time and another, about the violence of tropical
rainstorms, but this exceeded far beyond all bounds the utmost that I
had thereby been led to anticipate. It came, not in drops or sheets, or
even the metaphorical "buckets-full," but in an absolute _deluge_ of
such volume that not only were we drenched to the skin in a single
instant, but almost before I was aware of it the water had risen in the
bottom of the canoe to a depth of at least four inches. I was actually
compelled to lean forward in a stooping posture to catch my breath.

For fully five minutes this overwhelming deluge continued to descend
upon us, and then it relaxed somewhat and settled down into a steady
downpour.

"Was that object which we caught sight of some distance ahead, just now,
the schooner?" asked Smellie as soon as the rushing sound of the rain
had so far abated as to permit of our hearing each other's voices.

"It was, sir," I replied.

"Then now is the time for us to make a dash past her; they will scarcely
be keeping a very bright look-out in such rain as this," he remarked.

We accordingly hauled out into the centre of the stream and plied our
paddles as rapidly as possible. We had been working hard for perhaps
five minutes when Smellie said in a low cautious tone of voice:

"Hawkesley!"

"Sir?"

"Do you know, the fancy has seized upon me to have a look in on the deck
of that schooner. If we are duly cautious I really believe it might be
managed without very much risk. Somehow I do not think they will be
keeping a particularly bright look-out on board her just now. The look-
out may even be stowed away comfortably in the galley out of the rain.
Have you nerve enough for the adventure?"

"Certainly I have, sir," I replied, a bold idea flashing at that instant
through my brain.

"Then keep a sharp look-out for her, and, when you see her, work your
paddle so as to drop the canoe alongside under her main-chains, and
stand by to catch a turn with your painter."

"Ay, ay, sir," I replied; and we once more relapsed into silence and
renewed paddling.

Five minutes later a shapeless object loomed up close aboard of us on
our port bow, and, sheering the canoe sharply to larboard, we dropped
her handsomely and without a sound alongside the schooner just in the
wake of her main-chains. I ra