As we gained way the ship steadied herself. The ponderous lurch and roll grew less. The keel sat more evenly in the hollow between the seas, cutting through their crests like a knife as the sail bellied out and tautened. We managed to get another piece of canvas spread, and then like a thing endowed with sudden life the Racoon began to tear before the wind, bursting aside the surges as she overtook them, as if she would revenge haughtily the shame they had put upon her helplessness. There was an exhilaration about the fury of our rushing. It was like riding a mettled and tireless steed.
I left the crew to their work of re-connecting the broken rudder-chain and went below. The saloon was a desolation. Every movable thing had been swept to port by the list of our sudden broach to. The table was leaning with its top against the side. A litter of glass and crockery filled the port corners. A mass of pantry gear had been shot across the floor. Smears of various sauces from the same locality stained the carpets. Water had forced itself down through the hatchway—though this had been battened—and sparkled in puddles beneath the electric light. The knives and forks and splinters of glass jingled as they clustered and broke apart again at each heave of the ship. And in the midst of this conglomerate desolation sat poor Lady Delahay and her daughters.
The former rose hastily as I swung myself off the stairs into the doorway. She staggered towards me, her face white with anxiety. Her hand trembled as she dropped it unsteadily on my arm.
“Lord Denvarre?” she questioned, tugging insistently at my sleeve. “He’s recovering?”
“Right as the mail,” answered I; “he was a bit knocked out of time at first, but we’ve brought him round famously between us. And you?” I queried, “I hope you have been ministered to properly?”
“I could think of nothing—absolutely nothing,” she answered, “while we were without news of him. Oh, Lord Heatherslie, supposing my darling had been practically widowed before my eyes?”
“It’s been a terrible night for you,” said I, “but I’m glad you were spared that crowning sorrow. Then I suppose I’m to congratulate Miss Gwendoline on her engagement?” I went on, looking across to where the two girls were trying to tidy up some of the worst of the jumbled disorder of the floor. “I’m sure she has the best wishes for luck and happiness from me.”
“It’s not announced at all yet,” said the good lady hurriedly, “in fact, you see there was no one to announce it to. There were no people of any position on board, and it has only really been seriously taken into consideration the last few days. A little awkward, you know, under the circumstances, our being fellow-travellers for so long. So we have decided that it shall not be recognized just yet. Just an understanding, you see, not a formal betrothal till we return to England, if we ever do,” added the poor old thing doubtfully. “Oh, my dear Lord Heatherslie, shall we ever reach any port alive?” and she sank back on to the cushions of the locker seats with a groan.
“Well, at present,” said I, “I must confess that we’re flying away from the nearest port at the rate of about twenty miles an hour. Our engine’s broken down, and we have to run before the gale. But it’ll only be the case of an hour or two, I hope, and then we shall be able to beat up for the Falklands. But it’ll be a long business at the best. You will have to put up with our bachelor quarters and our rough accommodation.”
“Lord Heatherslie,” she said brokenly, “when I think what might have happened, I should be less than Christian if I didn’t give thanks with a full heart. Even though we have lost everything in the way of clothes and property, I have my darlings safe, and their happiness is secured. That is sufficient for me.”