,
though what I could have said I am sure I don't know. Happily, she
forestalled me by coming to meet me with outstretched hands.

"Oh! Mr Leigh," she exclaimed, "isn't this just awful! I am so glad
you are here, for Momma is in her cabin and can't get out; and Jule and
I haven't been strong enough to help her. She says that the wardrobe
has fallen across her door, and she cannot move it."

"All right!" I said; "I will see what I can do to help her;" and I
moved toward the door in question.

"But don't you think you had better get some of the men to help you?"
demanded the girl. "I guess that wardrobe is a pretty heavy piece of
furniture and--But what are you looking at me like that for? And what
have you done to your head?"

"Hasn't Julius told you?" I asked, ignoring the last question.

"Told me what?" returned Anthea. Then, without waiting for a reply, she
continued. "No, he hasn't told me a thing. In fact, I haven't seen him
since he left me nearly an hour ago to get help. Of course I know that
we're wrecked, and goodness knows that's bad enough. There's nothing
worse than that to tell, is there?"

"I don't know for certain," I said, "but I fear so. Julius says that we
three and your mother are all that remain of the entire ship's company;
but I pray Heaven that he may be mistaken. However, we will free your
mother; and then I will take a good look round. I have scarcely had a
chance to see anything yet."

I walked up to the closed door of Mrs Vansittart's cabin, Anthea and
Julius accompanying me, and knocked.

"It is Walter Leigh," I cried. "Julius tells me that you are blockaded
in your room, madam, and cannot force your way out. May I see what I
can do?"

"Pray do, if you please," was the response. "I have been shut up here
for hours, terrified and half-drowned, and I want to get out. Have you
anybody there to help you?"

"Only Julius," I replied. "But I daresay we can manage, between us."

"I don't believe you can," retorted Mrs Vansittart. "There is a
wardrobe right across the door, and it is so heavy that I cannot move
it. Still, you may try."

"Right!" I replied. "Stand clear, if you please. Now, Julius, put
your shoulder to the door, close to the frame, and throw your whole
weight upon it. I will help you."

But the door would not move, strive as we might, and soon I realised
that the lad was a hindrance rather than a help. So I told him to stand
aside, and was th