176 Studies in Rat Catching, [ch. x. 



of human beings was seen on the deck 

 clinging to some cordage ; but when the next 

 wave passed, most of them had disappeared, 

 and we knew they had perished before our 

 eyes. It was difficult to distinguish objects 

 midst the turmoil, but it soon was whispered 

 among us that some one or more persons 

 were crouching behind the bulwarks, prob- 

 ably lashed there for safety, and from an 

 occasional flutter of a red scarf or garment, 

 we feared there was an unfortunate woman 

 among them ; and once, as the waves re- 

 ceded from the deck, we distinctly saw a man 

 rise up from the group and look for a 

 moment towards the approaching boat, and 

 then sink again beside his companions, just 

 as the incoming wave swept high over the 

 poor shelter the stout bulwark afforded. 



" If the yacht could only hold together a 

 few minutes longer ! But no ! once more it 

 rises from its bed like some agonised, dying 



