Then went over the captain of the queen’s galley with his men, the captain and men of Hellen’s galley taking their places. Meanwhile, Hellen was gathering rugs and cushions, and throwing these over. Even a few couches were transferred. Then himself and Deucalion passed over, after Azu.
Immediately the men on Hellen’s galley bestirred themselves to supply the queen’s galley and the now adjacent other galleys with food, though small was the portion allotted each. But, as Hellen had said, the African Coast was not far; and several islands were between.
Scarcely had all this been accomplished than a noise as of muffled thunder was heard beneath the water, the galleys receiving the shock as though they had struck upon the rocks. Again the waters began to rage and foam. The films of oil had yielded. Again were the waves cresting, and most threateningly.
“Let us move on,” shouted Sensel. “And more oil!”
“The island!”—“The island!” cried a few agonized voices.
The island was shaking terrifically. And it had certainly lost in height. Deucalion, as he looked, exclaimed wildly: “Sensel—Hellen—it sinketh. It is lost!”
He spoke very loud, forgetting himself, and the listening islanders, in their amazement, concluded that the time had arrived when the ‘Silent Priest’ could speak the will of the gods.
“He knoweth,” called one captain to the others. “Let us press on!”
“Yea—press on,” cried Deucalion in his mightiest tone. “Further, forget not the oil!”
Then to Hellen and Sensel, he added, “Ye will press on to the fifth island to the east, and there wait for me. I will take oil, food, and drink, and stay here in my boat, that I may witness the death throes of the island.”