It had come on to blow again. A '
great bank of bubbling purple clouds
had arisen In the northwest as the
night closed In; and while I was help
ing Miss Bradley down the companion
way, driven from the deck by the ugly,
threatening aspect of the ky. a blast
of wind struck the \eeeel. heeling her
over with a suddenness that forced mo
to cling with all my might to the ban
ister. and Miss Bradley with all hers
to my neck. Per nearly a minute my
chin reposed against the top of her
head, but that ectasy was vouchsafed
to me no longer. As the ship righted,
Millieeut parted from me. sprang
down the remaining stairs, grabbed at
a hand-rail, and wh'sked away to her
cabin, sans adieus.
I struggled tsick to the deck for the
rugs and cushions, and found the ves
sel enveloped in a furious storm. Al
ready it was dark, and the Atlanta
was plunging like a restive horse, the
sea coming in floods over the bul
warks, and the wind tearing and
shrieking among the cordage, and
blustering against the big roaring fun
nel. The rain came down in slanting
sheets of water, and the sailors were
shouting to each other, and warning
the passengers who had delayed get
ting below. I lost one of my rug A and
how I saved my life I can hardly tell.
My deck chair I left strapped to its
moorings, and took refuge In the
smoke-room with half a dozen other
white-faced fellows.
