ty organ, drowning
every other sound; while the yacht lay down to it until her lee rail was
completely buried and the water was right up to her main-hatch coamings.
As the wind increased, however, we rode somewhat easier, for after a
time it became impossible for the sea to rise; indeed, the strength of
the wind was such that it actually flattened the sea down, every wave,
as it reared its head, being swept away as a deluge of spray. The air
was full of it--as full as it is of water during a tropical shower; and
the only manner in which we could distinguish it from rain was by the
salt taste of it upon our lips.

I think the worst feature of it all, however, was the hideous darkness
in which we were enwrapped; for outside the small circle of light
emanating from the skylights it was impossible to see anything save a
faint, ghostly white radiance representing the phosphorescent surface of
the foaming sea, in the midst of which the hull of the yacht stood out
black, vague, and shapeless, it being impossible to see the whole length
of her because of the dense clouds of spindrift which enveloped us.

At length it occurred to me to wonder how our lady skipper was faring in
the midst of this awful turmoil of wind and sea; and, watching my
opportunity, I made a dash for the spot where, dimly outlined in the
sheen of light from the foremost skylight, I could just distinguish her
form huddled up against the foot of the mizen mast. As I reached her I
noticed that she seemed to be hanging limply in her lashings, and,
stooping closer, I presently discovered that the plucky little lady had
fainted. The buffeting of the wind and the pitiless incessant pelting
of the spray had been too much for her; and unable to call for
assistance, or to escape unaided, she had succumbed. This fact
established, I lost no time in summoning Kennedy to my assistance, when,
having cast her adrift, we managed between us to convey her safely to
the companion and carry her below to her cabin. We then roused the
doctor and Lizette, the chief stewardess, and turned her over to their
care, after which we left her there and returned to the deck to complete
our watch.

I think that middle watch was the longest four hours hat I had ever
spent, chiefly because of its extreme discomfort and the fact that there
was nothing to do. First of all, I was drenched to the skin, the
conversation in which I was engaged with Mrs Vansittart when the
hurricane started