As wind and sea were
now beating more directly on the port side, there was some degree of
shelter along the covered-in deck to starboard. He found that two
boats had been cleared of their hamper and lowered on the davits until
they could be swung in on the promenade deck. The men were thus able
to provision them more easily than in their exposed berths on the spar
deck. He watched the workers for a few minutes, showed them how to
stow and lash some biscuit tins more securely, and continued his
survey, meaning to look in on Walker and the doctor.
He had to pass the cabins set apart for the two girls. The ports were
lighted, and through one window he could see some one peering out at
him. Owing to the thickness of the glass and its blurred condition, he
could not tell whether the occupant was Elsie or Isobel, or Isobel's
maid, but, whoever it was, a hand seemed to signal to him to open the
door.
He unfastened the bolts, and held a half door slightly ajar. Joey,
ever eager to be out of the pelting storm, hopped inside, and Courtenay
heard Elsie exclaim:
"Good gracious, Joey! Where is your life-belt?"
"Do you want anything?" asked Courtenay, through the chink.
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