Then several things happened in a very rapid suc-
cession. There was no rush of water past the rail ;
the waves surged dead and heavy beside the boat,
and a silver-green cascade curved over the hatch
combings. Rupert had suddenly a sense of loss of
balance. Instinctively he pulled himself up to the
weather gunwale, which was coming up against the
sky; looked over, saw the white sheen of the keel
showing through the water — and jumped.
There was a deafening roar of water, a taste of
salt, and suddenly a complete tranquillity, which
seemed to last a thousand years. Then green twi-
light, and a blinding emergence into clamour and
commotion again. Rupert shook the water from his
eyes, and saw a dozen yards away the peak of the
Maid of Lome's mainsail and the truck of her



WHEN THE TIDE TURNS 97

mast subsiding amid a swirl of wicked-looking ed-
dies.
There were a great many thoughts rapidly formed
in the head that bobbed up and down there in the
blue choppy water; but " Finish " was the only
word that issued from the mouth. From the level
of the water the nearest shore, four miles away, was
barely visible; still, it lay to leeward; better try
for it. Rupert was a good enough swimmer, al-
though not trained to cover distances; and, having
kicked off his shoes and wriggled out of his coat, he
settled down to a long, steady stroke. He was deter-
mined not to look again until he knew the shore must
be close at hand, and he lulled himself into a mechan-
ical oblivion by the regular sweep of his arms.
