short minute or two, as if to mock them with hope, and then became
enshrouded in the tenebrous night.


* * * * *


Another hour, and a faint sigh came from the ragged mat. Enderby, for
ever on the watch, had first seen a white hand silhouetted against the
blackness of the covering, and knew that she was still alive. And as he
was about to call Langton, who lay in the stern-sheets muttering in
hideous dreams, he heard the woman's voice calling HIM. With panting
breath and trembling limbs he crawled over beside her and gently
touched her hand.

"Thank God, you are alive, Mrs Langton. Shall I wake Captain Langton?
We must be nearing the land."

"No, don't. Let him sleep. But I called you, Mr Enderby, to lift me up.
I want to see where the rain is coming from."

Enderby groaned in anguish of spirit. "Rain? God has forgotten us, I
----," and then he stopped in shame at betraying his weakness before a
woman.

The soft, tender tones again--"Ah, do help me up, please, I can FEEL
the rain is near." Then the man, with hot tears of mingled weakness and
pity coursing down his cheeks, raised her up.

"Why, there it is, Mr Enderby--and the land as well! And it's a heavy