Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-24
CHAPTER xVII-Continued.


Through the belly of great black wave,
not one hundred PAGES to the front OF them.
were thrust forth a huge Jagged mass of
brown stone. which spouted spray as
though it were some crouching monster.
while a dull menacing boom and roar filled
the air.
sYare! yare!' screamed Goodwin Haw-
tayne, .finging himself upon the long pole
which served as tiller. Cut the halyard.
Haul her over! Lay her two courses to the
wind."
Over swung the great boom. and the cog
trembled and quivered within five spear
lengths of the breakers.
She can scarce draw clear cried Haw-
tayne, with his eyes from the sail to the
seething line OF foam. May the holy Julian
stand by us and the thrice-sainted Christie
pher!'
IF there be such peril. Sir Oliver" quoth
Sir Nigel 1T would be very knightly and
fitting that we should show our pennons.
pray you, Edricson, that you will command
my guidon bearer to put forward my ban
ner."
And sound the trumpets." cried Sir OIL
yer In manus tuas, Domine! 1 am in
the keeping of James of Compostella. to
whose shrine 1 shall make pilgrimage, aud
in whose honor 1 VOW that will eat carp
each year upon his feast day. Mon Dicu.
but the waves roar! How is 1t with us now,
master shipmanf
I'VE draw! We draw cried Hawtayne.
with his eyes still fixed upon the foam
which Kissed under the very bulge Of the
side. "Ah. Holy Mother. be with us now"
AS he spoke the cog rasped along the edge
Of the reef and a long white curling sheet
Of wood was planned on from her SIDE from
waist to poop by a jutting horn OF the rock.
At the same instant she lay suddenly over.
the sail drew full and she plunged seawarl
amid the shoutings OF the seamen Ind the
archers.
The Virgin be praisedr cried the ship
man, wtping his brow. For this shall bell
swing and candle burn when l see South
ampton water once more Cheerily. my
hearts! Pull yarely on the bowline"
BY my soul! 1 would rather have dry
DEATH" quoth Sir Oliver. Though, mort
Dieu! / have eaten so many fish that II
were but justice that the fish should eat
me. Now I must back to the cabin, for I
have matters there which crave my atten-
ton"
Nay. Sir Oliver, you had best bide with
u.s. and still show your ensign" Sir Nigel
answered. for, IL I understand the matter
Alright we have but turned from one danger
to the other"
Good Master Hawtayne." cried the boat
swain. rushing aft, 1.-The water comes In
upon us apace The waves have driven In
the sail wherewith We strove to stop the
hole" AS he spoke. the seamen came
swarmng on to the poop and the fOrecastle
to avoid the torrent which poured through
the huge leak into the waist. High above
the roar Of the wind and the clash of the
sea the shrill, half-human cries of the
horses, they found the water rising rap
Idly around them.
stop 1t from without" cried Hawtayne
SELLING the end Of the wet sail with which
the gap had been plugged. Speedily. my
hearts, or we are gone!" Swiftly they rove
ropes to the corners, and then, rushing for
ward to the bows, they lowered them under
the keel and drew them tight in such way
that the sail should cover the outer face
of the gap. The force of the rush OF water
was checked by this obstacle, but 1t still
squirted plentifully from every side OF It.
At the sides the horses were above the
belly. and In the center a MAJ from the
poop could scarce touch the deck with
seven-foot spear. The cog lay lower In the
water. and the waves splashed freely over
the weather buiwark.
az fear that we can scarce bfde upon this
tack" cried Hawtayne: land yet the other
will drive us on the rocks"
might we not haul down sail and wait
for better times?" suggested Sir Nigel. ,
Nay: we should drift upon the rocks
Thirty years have / been on the sea, and
never yet In greater straits Yet we are In
the hands of the saints"
"Of whom" cried Sir Oliver, 81 look more
particularly to st. James of Compostella,
who hath already befriended us this day.
and on whose feast I hereby vow that
shall eat second carp If he will but in
terpose second time"
The wrack had thickened to seward. and
the coast was but a blurred line. Two
vague SnauOWS III the OiJuS sHoWtu WHeEc
the galeasses rolled and tossed upon the
great Atlantic rollers. Hawtayne looked
wistfully in their direction.
III they would but lie closer. we might
| find safety even should the cog founder.
You will bear me out with. good Master
Witherton of Southampton that have done
all that shipman might. 1t would be well
| that you should doff canal and greayes.
| Sir Nigel for. by the black rod! 1t is like
| enough that we shall have to swim for it,
Nay said the little knight. at would be
scarce fitting that q cavalier should throw
| OF his harness for tho fear of every pun
| of wind and puddle OF water. / would,
rather that my company should gather
| round me here on the poop, where we might
/ abide together whatever God may be pleas
ed to send. But, certes.. Master Hawtayne.
fnr all that my afGht Is nome. Of the heat.