HOW HE LIVED THROUGH THE GREAT STORM It was a fortunate thing for Gard that the storm--the great storm from which, for many a year afterwards, local events in Sark dated--came when it did; two days after Bernel's visit and the replenishment of his larder.

For if he had been caught bare he must have starved.
Eight whole days it lasted, with only two slight abatements which, while they raised his hopes only to dash them, still served him mightily.
During the first days he spent much of his time crouched in the lee of his bee-hive, watching the terrific play of the waves on his own rock and on the Sark headlands.
He wondered if any other man had seen such a storm under such conditions.

For he was practically at sea on a rock; in the midst of the turmoil, yet absolutely unaffected by it.
On shipboard, thought of one's ship and possible consequences had always interfered with fullest enjoyment of Nature's paroxysms.

It was impossible to detach one's thoughts completely and view matters entirely from the outside.

But here--he was sure his rock had suffered many an equal torment--there was nothing to come between him and the elemental frenzy.