Still, as Trejago said, there was hope at last. The gale had spent its chief force and was no longer directly on shore. The more pressing and immediate danger was over.
"It won't do to stop here, though," he went on, "not one second longer than we can help. Now that there is a slant in the wind we can run south under a close-reefed trysail and storm-jib. What say you, doctor?"
"I'll step down and see the general."
"Don't lose any time. I should like to slip my cable this next half-hour. I shan't be happy till we've got sea-room."
McKay went below with the doctor, and, while the latter sat with his patient, the aide-de-camp had a short talk with Mrs. Wilders.
"The captain wants to put to sea."
"Never! not in this storm!"
"It is abating fast. Besides, he says it will be far safer to be running snug under storm-canvas than remaining here on this wild coast."
"I hope he will do no such thing. It will be madness. I must speak to him at once."
She seized a shawl, and, throwing it over her head, ran up on deck.