'm no doctor. I couldn't have done that, only I used to go along
with a friend of my father on his rounds, and saw what he did."

"Well, you've saved poor Mr Dallas's life."

"Think so, Roy? Ah, if I could only feel sure! But why," added Syd,
after a pause, "did you say I was no sailor?"

"To talk about seeing the frigate's lights. She couldn't have beat up
near here in such a gale as this. Whew! it does blow."

They had been walking carefully along the gap towards the point where
the further gun was mounted, and gradually clambered up higher till they
were beyond the shelter of the side of the southern cleft, when Roylance
had just time to clap his hand to his head and save his hat, which was
starting on a voyage into the black night.

The next minute Syd was beside him, holding on to the rocky edge of the
cleft, high up above the guns, catching the full force of the wind.
Down below they were in complete shelter. Here the gale had such power
that it was impossible to stand securely. The wind shrieked about their
ears, and seemed to come at them in huge waves, each throwing them back
against the rock, and now and then making what felt like a snatch to
tear them from where they stood, and hurl them down the rocks, or blow
them away to sea.

"I say," cried Roylance, panting to get his breath, and holding his lips
close to his companion's ear, "they must be having it pretty rough on
board to-night."

"Think there's any danger?" shouted Syd.

"Not if they keep well out to sea. Eh? What?"

"I didn't speak," roared Syd; "it was the wind howling."

"Hadn't we better get down? I feel as if I was going to be blown right
off."

"Wait a bit. I say, I think I'll have a man posted here by this gun."

"What, now?"

"Yes, at once."

"Nonsense, man; there's no one on the rock but ourselves, and no enemy
could come near us in this gale."

"No," shouted Syd; "suppose not. But--"

He had to cease speaking and hold on, for the wind rushed at them now
with redoubled violence, and for a minute neither thought of anything
but the danger.

"It does blow," panted Syd at last, as the wind lulled a little. "I was
going to say--do you feel sure there is no one else on the rock?"

"Yes, of course."

"I don't," said Syd, decisively; "I know I saw something, or some bird."

"A goat left on the rock."

"No; it could not have been a goat; it must--"

Whoo! The wind rushed at them again, and once more they held