Ah, there was one that had gone. He had not seen it go, but there it
stood, the remnant, broken off half-way up the trunk. One did not know
what happened unless he saw it. The mere crashing of trees and wails
of human despair occupied no place in that mighty volume of sound. He
chanced to be looking in Captain Lynch's direction when it happened.
He saw the trunk of the tree, half-way up, splinter and part without
noise. The head of the tree, with three sailors of the Aorai and the
old captain sailed off over the lagoon. It did not fall to the ground,
but drove through the air like a piece of chaff. For a hundred yards
he followed its flight, when it struck the water. He strained his
eyes, and was sure that he saw Captain Lynch wave farewell.

Raoul did not wait for anything more. He touched the native and made
signs to descend to the ground. The man was willing, but his women
were paralyzed from terror, and he elected to remain with them. Raoul
passed his rope around the tree and slid down. A rush of salt water
went over his head. He held his breath and clung desperately to the
rope. The water subsided, and in the shelter of the trunk he breathed
once more. He fastened the rope more securely, and then was put under
by another sea. One of the women slid down and joined him, the native
remaining by the other woman, the two children, and the cat.

The supercargo had noticed how the groups clinging at the bases of the
other trees continually diminished. Now he saw the process work out
alongside him. It required all his strength to hold on, and the woman
who had joined him was growing weaker. Each time he emerged from a sea
he was surprised to find himself still there, and next, surprised to
find the woman still there. At last he emerged to find himself alone.
He looked up. The top of the tree had gone as well. At half its
original height, a splintered end vibrated. He was safe. The roots