She had not yet
reached that stage of confidence familiar to all who cross the open
seas. The first period of a gale is terrifying. Later there comes an
indifference born of supreme trust in the ship. The steady onward
thrust of the engines--the unwavering path across the raging vortex of
tumbling gray waters--the orderly way in which the members of the crew
follow their duties--these are quietly persistent factors in the
gradual soothing of the nerves. Many a timid passenger, after lying
awake through a night of terror, has gone to sleep when the watch began
to swab the deck overhead. Not even a Spartan sailor would begin to
wash woodwork if the ship were sinking.
"All ladies like to see an officer in the saloon during a storm,"
commented Christobal. "I plead guilty to a weakness in that direction
myself, though I know he is much better employed on the bridge."
"The captain cannot be on the bridge always," said Isobel.
"He is seldom far from it in bad weather, if he is faithful to his
trust. And I fancy we would all admit that Captain Courtenay--"
A curious shock, sharper and altogether more penetrating than the
Thor's hammer blow of a huge wave, sounded loud and menacing in their
ears.
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