"It's the Timbalier Shoals!" he screamed. "Oh, d---- it all! We'll

lose her, now." I recalled that his concern seemed rather for his boat

than the lives she carried.

Jean Lafitte came bounding up the companionway, his face pale, but

ready for ship's discipline. "Come," said I quickly, "help me with the

anchor." A moment later, we sprung the capstan clutch, and I heard the

brief growl of the anchor chain as the big hook ran free. Glad enough

I was to think of the extra size it had. We eased her down and made

fast under Peterson's orders now, and so swung into the head of the

sea, which mercilessly lifted us and flung us down like a monkey

seeking to crack a cocoanut shell. Williams joined us now, and Willie

and John, pale as Jean Lafitte, came up from the forecastle, all

shouting and jabbering. I ran aft as soon as might be, and only pulled

up at the cabin door to summon such air of calm as I might. I rapped,

but followed in, not waiting. Helena met me, pale, her eyes wide, her

hair disheveled, but none the less mistress of herself.

"What is it?" she demanded. "What makes it jolt?"

"We've gone aground," said I. "She does pound a little, doesn't she?"

She looked out into the wild night, across which the voices of the

confused wild fowl came like souls in torment.

"This is terrible!" said she simply. "Are we lost?"

"No," said I. "Let us hear no such talk. Go below, now, and keep

quiet. We may pass the night here, or we may conclude after a little

to go on ahead a little farther. We've just dropped the anchor. The

island's just over there a way." I did not care to be too specific.

"What is it, oh, what is it?" I heard the faint voice of Mrs. Daniver.

"Oh, this is awful. I--am--going--to--die, going to die!" The agony

of mal de mer was hers now of full license, for the choppy sea was

sustained on the bosom of a long ground swell, coming we knew not

whence.

"Jimmy!" I called down. "Are you there?"

"Yes, Sir," answered L'Olonnois bravely, from his place on the floor.

"I'm feeling pretty funny, but I'll be all right--maybe."

"Stay right where you are--and you also, Miss Emory. I must go forward

now, and just came to tell you it's all right. If there should be any

need, we'll let you know. Now keep down, and keep the door shut."

"I'm--going--to--die!" moaned Mrs. Daniver as I left. Helena made no

outcry, but that horror possessed her I knew very well, for every

reason told us that our case was desperate. The boat might start her

seams or break her back, any instant, now.




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