As he stood there, gathering himself for his desperate undertaking, waiting for opportunity, taking the measure of the lashing and insensate monster whom he had resolved to subdue, he heard Captain Downs bawl an impatient command:
“Passengers go below!”
Mayo looked aft and saw Alma Marston clinging to the spike-rack of the spanker mast. The coach-house lantern shone upon her white face.
“Go below!” repeated the master.
She shook her head.
“This is no place for a woman.”
“The vessel is going to sink!” she quavered.
“The schooner is all right. You go below!”
How bitter her fear was Mayo could not determine. But even at his distance he could see stubborn resolution on her countenance.
“If I've got to die, I'll not die down there in a box,” she cried. “I'm going to stay right here.”