Jane was protecting herself by clinging to a rope.

The awning suddenly ballooned and went up into the air, taking some of the awning posts with it.

Miss Elting had no further desire to go up on deck after that.

With her charges she kept close to the deck house, where they shielded themselves from the wind as much as possible.
"He's turning round," shouted Jane, with hands to lips.
"Don't let him.

He will upset us." Jane yelled at the man in the launch, who--not daring to brave the seas any longer, was slowly turning his launch about.