king far from king-like, for his mouth was open
and he was giving forth sounds which in a common person would have been
called snores.

Hurrying back to the deck, Denis ran forward, awakening to the fact that
the sea was much smoother, for he could not have progressed like that
over-night.

"Well, how are you?" he cried.

"Beginning to get dry," was the morose reply. "Look here, boy, if I had
known that I was going to play horse-keeper all through a night like
this I wouldn't have volunteered to come. I shall want a week's sleep
to put me straight."

"Why didn't you ask one or two of the sailors to come and help you?"

"Why didn't you come and help me?"

"You know: because I was obliged to be in attendance on the--"

"Comte!" shouted Saint Simon. "You will be spoiling the expedition
before you have done."

"Yes, it is hard work to remember. I am sorry, though, Saint Simon.
You know that I would have come and helped you if I could."

"Oh yes, I know," said the other. "I couldn't trust anyone to help, for
the poor beasts knew me, and at the worst times a word or two and a pat
on the neck seemed to calm them, and they left off shivering with cold
and fear; but I have had a night such as I don't want to have again."

"You must have had. But the skipper says that we shall soon be in
smooth water, and that there will be some breakfast in an hour."

"Heugh!" ejaculated Saint Simon. "Breakfast here! I don't want
anything till we get on shore--if we ever do. Here, look behind you."

Denis turned sharply, to see a familiar face in the full sunshine
peering over the edge of the hatchway and looking about, but apparently
not seeing what was sought till a hand appeared to shade its owner's
eyes, sending forth a flash or two of light from a ring upon one of the
fingers.

"Why, it's the--"

"Comte!" said Saint Simon quickly. "Stop here, and lay hold of his
horse."

Saint Simon said no more, and Denis obeyed, grasping his companion's
reason, while the next minute the King had mounted to the deck, and came
forward to join them, after making a rush to the bulwarks and grasping
the rail.

"Oh, you're here, gentlemen," he said sharply. "Why was not somebody in
attendance--oh, I see; you're minding our steeds. It has been a very
bad night for them. Not injured, I hope?"

"No, sir," replied Saint Simon; "but during the worst part of the storm
we had to have extra ropes. I was afraid at one time that we sho