The deck was quite empty, all the crew
being busy below, but it was one mass of broken timbers, fallen sails,
and all the debris of a half-wrecked vessel. But as the fresh air met
their faces, it braced them to new courage, and each looked curiously
about.
Above, the sky was already clearing and the ragged-edged clouds were
rolling northwards, leaving clear spaces which rapidly enlarged. The
sea, black and turbulent, still rolled heavily, but with diminishing
motion, and its spray made everything damp about them. Turning on the
lights, Lady Moreham said briskly, "We must have a blanket, or
something, to shut out the storm. Where will I find one?"
"Right in our room--I'll get it," said Faith, feeling safer and better
already in the home-like place, and soon the open window was well
covered, the chairs wiped out and drawn close together, and Hope sank
into one, Texas still clutching her wrist, with a long sigh of
satisfaction.
"It _seems_ safer here, anyhow!" she murmured. "If papa could only be
with us!"
The lady smiled.
"And I was just thinking how glad I was that he is not here, but that I
could be so certain he was just where he ought to be to insure the
safety of us all. How proud you must be of him, tonight! He is a
true, brave man, and I am proud to call him my friend. Did you know we
were schoolmates together?"
Hope looked up quickly, interested in spite of herself.
"That is it, then? I felt sure there was something, but he always
avoided our questions.
Pages:
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188