So violently had she heeled over, that
the men in the cabin had been thrown on top of one another into the
lee bunk, where they squirmed and twisted and were washed about,
those underneath being perilously near to drowning.
The wind freshened a bit, and the Reindeer went over farther than
ever. For the moment I thought she was gone, and I knew that
another puff like that and she surely would go. While I pressed
her under and debated whether I should give up or not, the Chinese
cried for mercy. I think it was the sweetest sound I have ever
heard. And then, and not until then, did I luff up and ease out
the main-sheet. The Reindeer righted very slowly, and when she was
on an even keel was so much awash that I doubted if she could be
saved.
But the Chinese scrambled madly into the cockpit and fell to
bailing with buckets, pots, pans, and everything they could lay
hands on. It was a beautiful sight to see that water flying over
the side! And when the Reindeer was high and proud on the water
once more, we dashed away with the breeze on our quarter, and at
the last possible moment crossed the mud flats and entered the
slough.
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