Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/117

Rh of the whistling wind, which howled and shrieked with the energy of a demon. The rain swept the deck in sheets, and but little could be seen excepting when the lightning flashed across the storm-swept sky.

The minutes to follow were full of alarm for everybody on board. Even the captain could not tell how badly the transport was damaged or how close the ship was to running on another hidden reef.

"Make an examination and report at once," was the order passed to the ship's carpenter, and then the water well was sounded. It gave six inches of water in the bow compartment.

The Central continued to back, but when an attempt was made to bring her around, the wind struck her broadside so heavily that she nearly keeled over. The force of the elements had broken open the doors of the upper cabin, and the things flying through the air had smashed in a score of windows. The crashing of glass and the banging of furniture added to the confusion, and soldiers and jackies ran from one spot to another not knowing what to do. On the companionway there was a jam, and several went down, one man to be extricated from the crowd later on with a broken arm,