Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/186

158 same for himself. This accomplished, he rested far more comfortably than before. While he was at work, the Yankee sailor took another rope which was slender, and began to twist and braid it into a shell-like head covering, similar to one he had already made for himself. The dampness and shade of the improvised hat made Larry's head feel much better.

Slowly the afternoon wore away. Towards evening the sun went behind a dense mass of angry clouds, and it began to rain as before, while the distant rumble of thunder crept closer and closer. An hour later the storm was on them in all of its fury, and they found themselves driving to the southwestward, over and through the boiling and lashing waves which threatened to engulf them forever.

"I can't stand much of this!" panted poor Larry, at about midnight. "My chest is pounded so sore I can hardly breathe. Every time a wave breaks over me I— Oh, Luke, look!"

A broad spread of lightning had lit up the scene around them, causing Larry to suddenly change his talk.

"What is it, Larry?"

"Land! just ahead of us! We are getting into the breakers already!"