CHAPTER XVI.
[ON THE ROCKS.]
Gradually the group on the ledge of land hard by the cottages increased as the yacht drew nearer. A few women joined the men, and the talk about the yacht and its owner became general. Cheyne stood a little apart, within hearing, to leeward. The yacht was still half a league from the shore, heading for the bay.
"She has got as much as she wants now," said one of the men.
"Ay, and a trifle more."
"As fine a sea-boat as ever swam!"
"Ay, ay; but this is near as big a gale as ever blew."
"Oh! There's her keel from the bow to the foremast!"
"And there it is from the rudder to the main chains!"
"She'll pick up her moorings in a quarter of an hour."