Part 7 (2/2)
Neither man spoke while their practised scrutiny took in these details
The roaring chaos of the gale told what fate awaited thee and sentenced them to speedy destruction
Mr Boyle pursed his lips; he looked sideways at Courtenay
”Huh,” he said ”What's to be done?”
”I propose,” answered the captain, coolly, ”to endeavor--”
It was then that the giant wave leaped h the sea were resolved to s its prey without further warning The second officer, outside on the bridge, had to cling to a stanchion for his life Courtenay and Boyle sao boats wrenched from their davits and carried overboard, while a bulkhead foras smashed into matchwood The half-caste quarter-master at the wheel muttered ”Madonna!” and tried to reme his voice so that the otherthe foresail
Will you see to it? Then I intend to warn the passengers, and make such preparations as are possible before we strike”
”Huh,” agreed Mr Boyle He took the short cut over the rails In a few seconds the captain heard a flow of ornate Spanish, and he knew that Mr Boyle was getting the scared Chileans to work
Then Courtenay went to his own cabin, in which, in the haste of his exit, he had iht, for Joey knew a real gale from a sham one, as well as any man before the mast Courtenay patted his head, opened a drawer in the writing-table, and drew forth two photographs, which he kissed He replaced the come with him That was his farewell to his n of sentireat endurance
When he returned fro the chart
”Do you think we have any chance ofto the doubtfully marked channel which separates Hanover and Duke of York Islands
”If we set the ht bear up a bit”
”Try it”
”Huh,” said Mr Boyle, and he was off again into the spindrift
Be it understood that the sails carried by a big vessel like the _Kansas_ are of little practical value save under certain conditions of wind and sea, when they are rigged to steady her, and thus give help to helht serve now to carry the shi+p a point or tards the north, and this was the sole avenue of escape which reain, was one of those trivial circu of events Had either of the sails blown out, or had the mainsail been set at the sa the next few hours must have been deviated froth in direction could not fail to exercise the most momentous result on the fortunes of the _Kansas_ But shi+ps are singularly akin to aries of fate A ht or left, may mean all the difference between success and failure, safety and danger
Leaving the chart on the table, where it was secured by drawing-pins, Courtenay went back to his cabin to obtain a pair of sea-boots Seeing Joey sitting on his tail and shi+vering, unable to indulge in a comfortable lick because the taste of salt water was hateful, he hunted for a padded 's protection in cold latitudes He ransacked two lockers before he found it Several articles were tumbled in a heap on the floor in his haste, and he did not trouble to pack thearment, fastened his own oilskins, and rejoined the second officer on the bridge A glance showed hi abaft the after funnel The quarter- the shi+p's nose up to the wind by a steady pressure to port The gale was as fierce as ever The second officer shouted in Courtenay's ear:
”I am afraid, sir, the wind has shi+fted a point”
Courtenay looked at the co exactly northeast He had hoped that the sails would enable her to shape due north, at least; unquestionably so to ruin Had the wind but veered as h Concepcion Strait, or even weathered Duke of York Island He nodded to his junior, whose presence on the bridge was ato the powerless condition of the shi+p and the impenetrable wrack of foam and mist that barred vision ahead, and strode off on a tour of inspection As wind and sea were now beating ree of shelter along the covered-in deck to starboard He found that two boats had been cleared of their ha in on the promenade deck The men were thus able to provision them more easily than in their exposed berths on the spar deck He watched the workers for a few minutes, showed them how to stow and lash some biscuit tinsto look in on Walker and the doctor
He had to pass the cabins set apart for the two girls The ports were lighted, and through onehe could see solass and its blurred condition, he could not tell whether the occupant was Elsie or Isobel, or Isobel's nal to him to open the door
He unfastened the bolts, and held a half door slightly ajar Joey, ever eager to be out of the pelting storm, hopped inside, and Courtenay heard Elsie exclairacious, Joey! Where is your life-belt?”
”Do you want anything?” asked Courtenay, through the chink
Elsie smiled at him She rapped in a heavy ulster, and had a Tam o' Shanter tied firht we had better bring life-belts from our cabins I came for mine, and I looked out and saw you I wanted to ask you what had become of Dr Christobal I hope you don'tto him Would you care to come?”