For a moment or two, as the ship swung round, creaking in every joint, it seemed as if she would ride out the gale thus.

But with a report like the crack of a gun, first one, then the other of her cables broke short at the gunwale, and we knew we had only lost time and water in the attempt.
Instantly the Don called upon his nobles to volunteer for the oars.
Gallantly they responded; and occupied the after benches, while all the slaves rowed forward.

Then, for an hour, the _Gerona_ seemed to hold her own, and reeled across the bay on an eastward course.
But, presently, even the lordlings of Spain flagged, and once again we drove in, amid the thunder of surf, on an ever nearing shore.
"We should be near the Bann mouth," said I.

"To think of the last time we heard that thunder together!" "We are clear of that," said Ludar, quietly.

"Tell the Don his lordlings must work harder if we are to weather the next point." I told the Don as much, hat in hand; and once again the gentles gathered themselves together and made a course for the labouring ship.
Ludar was breathing hard when I returned to his side.
"That may put us past Ramore," said he.