The wind was steadily increasing and soon burst into terrible gusts.

The long lazy roll of the sea changed and sharp, snapping waves continually broke over him.

These grew larger and more powerful every moment.

About two hours after he left the Queen the gale was on him in all its fierceness and the light was lost to his view.

The heavy rain that accompanied the gale almost blinded him, and the seas grew so high that he abandoned paddling and sought only to keep his head against the overpowering waves that then drove down on him.