was only a
girl, hysterical and weak. Instead I had--

"Miss Colton," I begged, "please don't. Please!"

No answer; only another sob. I tried again.

"I have been a cad," I cried. "I have treated you abominably. I don't
expect you to forgive me, but--"

"I--I am so frightened!" The confession was a soliloquy, I think; not
addressed to me at all. But I heard it and forgot everything else. I let
go of the wheel altogether and bent over her, both hands outstretched,
to--the Lord knows what. I was not responsible just then.

But while I still hesitated, while my hands were still in the air above
her, before they touched her, I was brought back to sanity with a rude
shock. A barrel or so of cold water came pouring over the rail and
drenched us both. The launch, being left without a helmsman, had swung
into the trough of the sea and this was the result.

I am not really sure what happened in the next few seconds. I must, I
imagine, have seized the wheel with one hand and my passenger with
the other. At any rate, when the smoke, so to speak, had cleared, the
Comfort was headed on her old course once more, I was back on the bench
by the wheel, Mabel Colton's head was on my shoulder, and I was telling
her over and over that it was all right now, there was no danger, we
were perfectly safe, and various inanities of that sort.

She was breathing quickly, but she sobbed no more. I was glad of that.

"You are sure you are not hurt?" I asked, anxiously.

"Yes--yes, I think so," she answered, faintly. "What was it? I--I
thought we were sinking."

"So did I for a moment. It was all my fault, as usual. I let go the
wheel."

"Did you? Why?"

"I don't know why." This was untrue; I did. "But you are wet through," I
added, remorsefully. "And I haven't another dry wrap aboard."

"Never mind. You are as wet as I am."

"Yes, but _I_ don't mind. I am used to it. But you--"

"I am all right. I was a little faint, at first, I think, but I am
better now." She raised her head and sat up. "Where are we?" she asked.

"We are within a few miles of the Wellmouth shore. That light ahead
is the Mackerel Island light. We shall be there in a little while. The
danger is almost over."

She shivered.

"You are cold!" I cried. "Of course you are! If I only had another coat
or something. It is all my fault."

"Don't say that," reproachfully. "Where should I have been if it had not
been for you? I was paddling directly out toward those dr