“The hiss an’ swish o’ the seas was hellish. Botch spat water an’ spoke, but I couldn’t hear. I ’lowed, though, that ’twas whether I could keep my grip a bit longer.
“‘Hold fast!’ says I.
“He nodded a most agreeable thank you. ‘I wants t’ think a minute,’ says he.
“‘Take both hands!’ says I.
“On deck they hadn’t missed us yet. The rain was thick an’ sharp-edged, an’ the schooner’s bow was forever in a mist o’ spray.
“‘Tumm!’ says Botch.
“‘Hold fast!’ says I.
“He’d hauled his head out o’ the froth. They wasn’t no trouble in his eyes no more. His eyes was clear an’ deep—with a little laugh lyin’ far down in the depths.
“‘Tumm,’ says he, ‘I——’
“‘I don’t hear,’ says I.