"He thinks he is; but you had better make haste down." Denis hurriedly went below, to find that the sea entertained not the slightest respect for the stricken monarch, who uttered a low groan from time to time, and grew less king-like in his sufferings. "This is very bad, Denis," he said, "and it doesn't seem fair. Why am I ill, and you going about as if we were on dry land?" "I wish I could suffer for you, my master," said the lad earnestly. "Thank you. That's very good," said the King; "but unfortunately you can't. Denis, my lad, it takes all the bravery out of a man when he is like this. Do you think the shipmaster would call it cowardly if I were to send word for him to turn the vessel round and make sail back for Havre de Grace?" "I don't think he would notice it, my--Comte," said Denis earnestly; "but I don't think he could do it now." "Why?" cried the King. "Because the wind is growing stronger, and blowing hard from behind, driving us fast for the other coast; and even if he could turn we should not get back." "No," said the King. "But this is very horrible, Denis, my lad.--Are the horses safe?" "Yes, sir, quite." "Ah! that's right," moaned the King. "Say sir, not Sire, on your life." _Boomp_! _Rush_! "What's that?" cried the King, in a startled voice, sitting up, but falling back with a groan. "Oh, how my head swims! Can you swim, Denis, boy?" he moaned. "Yes, sir; but no one could swim in a sea like this." _Boomp_! _Crash_! _Rush_! "What's that, boy?" groaned the King again. "Why don't you tell me? Didn't I ask before?" "It was a big wave, sir, leaping at the vessel's bows, and curling over and rushing along the deck." "How dreadful!" said the King. "Why is it so dark? Is it the sea flooding the ship?" "No, sir; it is nearly night." "Oh yes, I forgot. I think I have been asleep. Are we almost there?" "No, sir. It is a long way yet." "If I could only go to sleep! Why didn't I let that doctor come? Denis, my boy, if I die, or if we are drowned, or--go up and ask the shipmaster how long it will be before we get across." In no wise troubled by the pitching and tossing of the clumsy vessel, Denis climbed on deck; but it was some moments before he could make out where the captain stood, and then only by the help of one of the men, who pointed out the dim figure in the semi-darkness lightened by the foam, standing beside the man at the rudder beam; and then it needed no little care to pass along, holding on by the bulwarks, to ask the question the lad was sent to bear. "How long, my lad?" said the skipper. "Oh, very soon. We are flying across to-night. This is the fastest run I can remember to have made." "But are we nearly there?" "Nearly there! No, not halfway; but if the wind holds on like this we shall be across in time for dinner at noon to-morrow, and perhaps before." "So long as that?" cried Denis.