Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/14

8 backwards by the shock, but they recovered themselves almost immediately.

"Does she still steer?" asked one of them.

"Yes, Gordon," answered Briant, who had coolly resumed his place. "Hold on tight, Donagan," he continued, "and don't be afraid. There are others besides ourselves to look after. You are not hurt Moko?" "No, Massa Briant," answered the boy. "But we must keep the yacht before the wind, or we shall be pooped."

At this moment the door of the companion leading to the saloon was thrown open. Two little heads appeared above the level of the deck, and with them came up the genial face of a dog, who saluted with a loud, "Whough! whough!"

"Briant! Briant!" shouted one of the youngsters. "What is the matter?"

"Nothing, Iverson, nothing!" returned Briant. "Get down again with Dole, and look sharp!"

"We are awfully frightened down here," said the other boy, who was a little younger.

"All of you?" asked Donagan.

"Yes; all of us!" said Dole.

"Well, get back again," said Briant. "Shut up; get under the clothes; shut your eyes; and nothing will hurt you. There is no danger!" "Look out," said Moko. "Here's another wave!" A violent blow shook the yacht's stern. This time fortunately the wave did not come on board, for if the water had swept down the companion, the yacht would have been swamped.

"Get back, will you?" shouted Gordon. "Go down; or I'll come after you!"

"Look here," said Briant, rather more gently. "Go down, you young 'uns."

The two heads disappeared, and at the same moment another boy appeared in the doorway.

"Do you want us, Briant?" "No, Baxter," said Briant. "Let you and Cross and