"So soon as that," said the skipper, laughing. "There, I see how it is. You are afraid--" "I'm not!" cried Denis sharply. "Don't be in such a hurry, my lad. You don't give a man time to speak-- about your horses, I was going to say. But they're all right. I have another rope passed from neck to neck, and as soon as the poor beasts felt it it seemed to give them comfort, like being more in company. Don't you be afraid. They're noble animals, but not fit for work like this. Go and see." Denis hurried to where Saint Simon was standing with the horses, drenched with spray, and growing impatient at his task. "Oh, there you are!" he cried. "Why didn't you come before?" "I couldn't leave him. He sent me up to ask how soon we shall be across." "Well?" "The skipper says at noon to-morrow." "Not till then?" said Saint Simon. "No." "Well, I'm glad of it. Serve him right. It will finish this wild-goose chase and send him back quite satisfied, ready to settle down again." "I hope so," said Denis. "How wet you are!" "Yes, I don't mind now," said Saint Simon. "It was very horrible at first, but I can't get any wetter, and that's some comfort after all." "I'd stop and keep guard myself so that you could go into shelter," said Denis; "but I must go down again to tell him what I have learned. But why couldn't you go?" "Because he sent you, and he'd be furious perhaps. There, go and tell him." "Yes, I had better go," said the lad thoughtfully; "but--I am sorry to leave you, all the same." "Hah! That makes me feel warm," cried Saint Simon--"that and the knowledge that the horses can't get loose. There, go on down. After all, he's worse off than we." Denis crept along by the bulwarks till he could reach the cabin hatch, lowered himself down to where a vile-odoured lamp was swinging from the cabin ceil, and then, moving slowly, having hard work to keep his feet, he reached the spot where the suffering monarch lay, to find to his great relief that Francis had sunk into a deep sleep, and was breathing heavily, leaving him nothing to do but sit down and watch. CHAPTER SIX. HOW TO LAND HORSES. It was a long and dreary night, full of suffering; but, like the worst, it slowly came to an end. The grey dawn began to creep through the dim skylight, grew stronger and brighter, and at last the sun arose, with the King still sleeping profoundly, and Denis standing at the top of the cabin ladder, gazing out over a glorious foaming sea, all purple, orange, and gold, wide awake to the beauty of the scene, and ready to wonder what had become of the horror and darkness of the night. There was a fresh breeze blowing and the sea was rough, but the clumsy craft rode more easily and had ceased to pitch and toss. Far ahead too the sea looked smoother, and so Denis said to the rough-looking skipper, who came up with a nod and smile.