TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 153 



to steer a straight course through the narrow entrance. 

 Here a rising tide rushing into the lagoon caused a 

 current swift as that of a fast-flowing river, which 

 drifted us onwards ahead of the light wind. One 

 sailor, standing in the bows heaving a lead-line, kept 

 reporting a depth of four or five fathoms. This was 

 ample water for the Lily, which only drew some ten 

 feet of water. Suddenly, after the usual monotonous 

 cry from the bows of, " By the mark four," every one 

 was electrified by a sudden bump on the keel, and the 

 vessel gave a lurch which nearly threw us off our 

 feet, and then she remained stationary. It did not 

 need Captain Clemsen's forcible language, nor hastily- 

 shouted orders, to tell us that we were again " held 

 up." Rushing to the wheel himself, the captain 

 shouted 



" Hell, boys ! I guess she's aground. Let go the 

 anchor, and pull down the darned canvas." 



Quick as lightning this was done, and then Agnes, 

 who never seems to lose her sang-froid, but who, like 

 all true daughters of Eve, must have her little say in 

 all emergencies, mildly asked, " And what next, 

 please, Captain?" 



Had I been in the skipper's place I think I should 

 have been wild enough to say things which would 

 have hurt, but being a bluff, good-tempered soul, and 

 also imbued with a sense of humour, he burst out 

 laughing, and replied 



"Well, search me, marm, if I know what next; 

 you've got me beat all right. I guess the old hooker 

 has got her nose fixed in a mudbank, and unless 



