Annie gave a swift, inquiring look to Gregory. His face was turned heavenward, in calm and noble trust.
Hunting's wild cry mingled with the despairing shriek of many others, but ended in a gurgling groan as he and all sank beneath the waters.
CHAPTER XXXIV
UNMASKED
It seemed that they passed through miles of water that roared around them like a cataract. But Annie and Gregory held to each other in their strong, convulsive grasp, and her belt caused him to rise with her to the surface again. A piece of the wheelhouse floated near; Gregory swam for it, and pushing it to Annie helped her upon it. Hunting also grasped it. But it would not sustain the weight of all three, especially as Gregory had no preserver on.
One must leave it that the other two might escape.
"Good-by, Annie, darling," said Gregory. "We will meet again in heaven if not on earth. Cling to your plank as long as you can, and a boat may pick you up. Good-by, poor Hunting, I'm sorry for you."
"What are you going to do?" gasped Annie.
"Don't you see that this won't float all three? I shall try to find something else."
"No, no," cried Annie, "don't leave me: you have no belt on. If you go
I will too."