We haven't an instant to waste--the water is even now almost level with the deck; any second we may be awash, and go down like a stone.

Hold on tight to me." The deck was already sloping to port in a dangerous degree, and West was compelled to cling to the rail, as they slowly made passage forward through the darkness.

Their eyes had by then adapted themselves to the night, so as to distinguish larger objects, and, as there was no litter to encounter, as in the case of a ship wrecked by storm, the two progressed safely as far as the engine-hatch.

Neither spoke, but West still clasped the hatchet, peering anxiously about for some signs of the life-raft.

He located it at last, securely fastened to the side of the deck house, and, leaving the girl to hold herself upright as best she could, began to hack it loose.