This page has been validated.

A PONY WATCH.

blinded by the driving spray, but struggle past the black motionless figure of the helmsman, and get safely under the shelter of the deck house. We seem to be sliding into a gigantic bowl of water, I shudder, but continue to fight my way stableward.

Watching for what I think to be a favourable moment I release my frantic hold of the motor car stays and dash forward; I am caught by a sea which fills my boots but does not upset me, then as I walk confidently past the galley, the lee rail is buried under water; I am more than ever convinced that it is a rough night and long for daylight.

A wild struggle through the stable entrance; and I am greeted by: a pained silence from Joyce. The ship is fairly level but the ponies have obviously had a bad time; one is down and all efforts to raise it having been useless, we wait for daylight to decide its fate. We stare ahead listening to the gale screaming overhead, and feel the ship giving-sudden plunges as the cable strains at her bows.

The timbers of the stable groan and creak, and we doubt their ability to carry the weight of boats and gear resting on them. Gaining confidence we seat ourselves on a sack of wet bran and fall to talking fitfully, the lamp splutters, goes out, and is lit with