The Island Queen | Page 6

who thereupon relapsed into
silence, wisely resolving to let his sister retain all the "bliss" of
"ignorance" that was possible under the circumstances.
Indeed, there was not much more time for conversation, for the power
of the waves was beginning to be felt by the little craft, and the clumsy
oar did not act with as much precision or force as was desirable, while
Dominick's weakness rendered the steering difficult. Pauline now
began to realise the danger somewhat more clearly from experience,
and even Otto showed symptoms of surprise that amounted very nearly
to alarm, as the boat at one point made a sudden rush on a wave-top as
if it meant to try a race with it, and then as suddenly slipped back into
the hollow behind, as if it had been disheartened, feeling that there was
no chance.
At last they reached the point of greatest danger. The huge waves, as
we have said, commenced out at sea in long, gentle undulations. Nearer
the shore they advanced in the shape of glassy walls, one after another,
like successive lines of indomitable infantry in time of war. Further in,
the tops of these waves began to gurgle and foam, and gather real,
instead of seeming, motion, as they rushed towards their fall. It was

here that the boat showed symptoms of becoming unmanageable.
"Why, the water's beginning to boil!" exclaimed Otto, in some anxiety.
"Hold on, boy, and keep quiet," said his brother.
As he spoke, the water gurgled up, so that it seemed as if about to pour
inboard all round. At the same time the boat made a rush shoreward as
if suddenly endowed with life. Dominick struggled manfully to keep
the stern to the sea. He succeeded, but in another moment the boat
slipped back. It had not been fairly caught, and the wave passed on to
fall with a roar like thunder a hundred yards or so ahead.
"The next will do it," said Dominick, with an anxious glance behind,
where a crystal wall was coming grandly on--unnaturally high, it
seemed to them, owing to their position in the hollow.
No need to tell Otto now to hold on! No need to explain difficulty or
danger to Pauline! As her brother stood at the oar, quivering as much
from weakness as exertion, she understood it all. But she was brave,
and she could swim. This latter fact lent her additional confidence. Best
of all, she had faith in God, and her spirit was calmed, for, whether life
or death lay before her, she knew that her soul was "safe."
As Dominick had prophesied, the next wave took them fairly in its
grasp. For a few moments the water hissed and gurgled round them.
The steersman seemed to lose control for a second or two, but quickly
recovered. Then there was a bound, as if the boat had been shot from a
catapult, and the billow fell. A tremendous roar, tumultuous foam all
round, increasing speed! The land appeared to be rushing at them, when
Dominick's oar snapped suddenly, and he went overboard. A shriek
from Pauline and a shout from Otto rose high above the din of raging
water, as the boat broached-to and hurled its remaining occupants into
the sea.
Even in that trying moment Dominick did not lose presence of mind.
He could swim and dive like a water-rat. Pushing towards his brother
and sister, who were heading bravely for the shore, he shouted, "Dig

your fingers and toes deep into the sand, and hold on for life, if--" (he
corrected himself) "when you gain the beach."
It was well they were forewarned, and that they were constitutionally
obedient. A few minutes later, and they were all swept up high on the
beach in a wilderness of foam. The return of that wilderness was like
the rushing of a millrace. Sand, stones, sticks, and seaweed went back
with it in dire confusion. Prone on their knees, with fingers and toes
fixed, and heads down, the brothers and sister met the rush. It was
almost too much for them. A moment more, and strength as well as
breath would have failed; but the danger passed, and Dominick sprang
to his feet.
"Up, up! and run!" he shouted, as he caught Pauline round the waist
and dragged her on. Otto needed no help. They were barely in time.
The succeeding wave roared after them as if maddened at having lost
its prey, and the foaming water was up with them, and almost round
their knees, ere its fury was quite spent.
"Safe!" exclaimed Dominick.
"Thank God!" murmured Pauline, as she sank exhausted on the sand.
Otto, who had never seen his sister in such a state before, ran to her,
and, kneeling down, anxiously seized one of