mischief was as subtle as it was mortal - as though a plank had started from end to end. Within and without the waters rose equally - then lay an instant level with our gunwales - then swamped us, oh! so slowly, that I thought we were never going to sink. It was like getting inch by inch into your tub; I can feel it now, creeping, crawling up my back. “It’s coming! 0 Christ!” muttered one as it came; to me it was a downright relief to be carried under at last.
But then, thank God, I have always
the pure water: the pillar of smoke became blacker, denser: we were at a crisis; a sudden hush denoted it; even our hoarse skipper stood dumb.
I had rushed down into the waist of the ship - blushing for my delay - and already I was tossing blankets with the rest. Looking up in an enforced pause, I