THE UNSPEAKABLE GENTLEMAN
The ship heeled far over on her side as another gust of wind took her. Six men were clinging to the rail to keep their balance, staring at my father with white faces, while sea after sea swept over the bulwarks. Three of them were edging toward us, when a wave caught them and sent them sprawling almost to his feet.
"Your sword, Henry," called my father. I ducked under his arm, and stepped out on the swaying deck, but they did not wait.
"Ah," said my father, "here they come. Brutus was quicker than I could have hoped."
"Aiken!" he shouted, "are you there? Put up that helm, or we'll be drowned. Put up that helm and get your men on the braces. D'you hear me? Get some way on the ship."
A hoarse voice bellowed out an order, and another answered.
"Good," said my father. "It was a nearer thing than I expected. You can hear the breakers now. Give me your arm, my son. A lantern, Brutus."
[223]
