THE VOYAGE BACK 431 



at 1 1 p.m. I unselfishly called Bernard Day for his share of the 

 hell-broth, and went down below to try and forget it in sleep." 



It culminated at 3 a.m., when the starboard whaler was 

 torn from one davit. Just as they got a rope under the loose 

 end the other broke loose. So they cut it adrift after it had 

 been bumping on the ship's side for some hours a few inches 

 from Lieutenant Evans' sick-bed ! 



Bernard Day was nursing Evans, who was progressing 

 satisfactorily, though still very weak. However, by now he 

 was nearly as cheerful as usual, and his cabin was chiefly 

 noticeable from the amount of laughter emanating therefrom. 

 He had onions, oranges, and beer in excess of our ration, and 

 got up for a few moments just before the gale. 



" Now that the engines are stopped (to save coal) we have 

 to use the hand-pumps continuously — about a quarter of an 

 hour each four hours. In the storm, owing to the rolling, it 

 takes longer, for the well only fills slowly through its small 

 holes, and most of the bilge lies on the lee side. 



" The pump-handles (across the waist) are left on all the 

 time now, and with ' life-lines ' they make something to grip 

 as you sidle along the deck. Ponting didn't see the handle, 

 and running to dodge a big wave he was knocked silly by a 

 blow on the brow. Result — two lovely black eyes, and a 

 thankful heart that his nose wasn't broken ! " 



The same day a big sea pooped the ship and covered the 

 steersman (MacCarthy) in fifteen feet of water ! It broke 

 down the canvas screen protecting him, but didn't dismay 

 MacCarthy. He had bad luck later, also. For climbing the 

 ratlines to free some tackle his helmet was knocked off. It 

 nearly came inboard on an incoming wave over the lee 

 bulwarks, but not quite. However, all that cheery MacCarthy 

 said was, " Maybe 'twill make the gale lessen a bit ! " 



There was naturally not much comfort anywhere on 

 board, not even in the cabins. I think the following extract 

 speaks for itself — 



"My bunk is just over the counter, where the waves 

 bump every few minutes, just over the screw ; just under 

 the chilled feet of the steersman who dances on the deck, 

 which is like a sounding board ; and just next the rudder, 

 which has two dozen squeaks and groans of its own. Add 

 to this rolls varying from 30 to 50° each way. 



