short time, he decided that it required only occasional inspection, and
sought the deck.

The cross sea was increasing, and the bank to the northwest was larger
and blacker, while the mare's tails and mackerel scales had given way to
cirrus clouds that raced across the sky. Damp gusts of wind blew, cold
and heavy, against his cheek; and he knew that a storm was coming that
would try out the low-built craft to the last of its powers. But before
it came he would polish up his forgotten knowledge of wireless
telegraphy, and searched the wireless room for books.

He found everything but what he wanted most--the code book, by which he
could furbish up on dots and dashes. Angry at his bad memory, he studied
the apparatus, found it in working order, and left the task to go on
deck.

An increased rolling of the boat threatened the open deadlights.
Trusting that the men in the forecastle would close theirs, he attended
to all the others, then sought Florrie in the galley, where she had just
finished the washing of the dishes. Her face was not pale, but there was
a wild look in her eyes, and she was somewhat unsteady on her feet.

"Oh, Billie, I'm sick--seasick," she said, weakly. "I'm a poor sailor."

"Go to bed, little girl," he said, gently. "We're going to have some
bad weather, but we're all right. So stay in bed."

He supported her aft through the wardroom to her stateroom door in the
after cabin. "I'll get supper, Florrie, and, if you can eat, I'll bring
you some. Lie down now, and don't get up until I call you, or until you
feel better."

He again sought the deck. The wind now came steadily, while the whole
sky above and the sea about were assuming the gray hue of a gale. He
closed all hatches and companions, taking a peep down into the engine
room before closing it up. The dynamo was buzzing finely.

A few splashes of rain fell on him, and he clothed himself in oilskins
and rubber boots to watch out the gale, choosing to remain aft--where
his footsteps over her might reassure the seasick girl below--instead of
the bridge, where he would have placed himself under normal conditions.

The afternoon wore on, each hour marked by a heavier pressure of the
wind and an increasing height to the seas, which, at first just lapping
at the rail, now lifted up and washed across the deck. The boat rolled
somewhat, but not to add to his discomfort or that of those below; and
there were no loose articles on deck to be washed ov