"Only looks so," he said, "because it is so far off. But the wind is going down, and in a couple of hours we shall be in smooth water. How's your master?" "Fast asleep still," replied Denis. "Best thing for a man not used to the sea. Well, you see, we shall get your horses over safely. Poor beasts! They are worse sailors than men. How are you? Feel as if you could eat some breakfast?" "Yes, I'm getting horribly hungry." "That's right. You are the best sailor of the lot. There will be some in an hour's time." The skipper passed on, leaving Denis with a look of disgust upon his features, for he was thinking of the roughness of the common vessel upon which they had been obliged to take their passage, and the pleasant meal of which he would have eaten at Fontainebleau. Just then Saint Simon turned, caught sight of him, and signalled to him to come. Denis started, hesitated, and then ran down into the cabin again to see whether the King had awakened. But far from it: he was flat on his back and looking far from king-like, for his mouth was open and he was giving forth sounds which in a common person would have been called snores. Hurrying back to the deck, Denis ran forward, awakening to the fact that the sea was much smoother, for he could not have progressed like that over-night. "Well, how are you?" he cried. "Beginning to get dry," was the morose reply. "Look here, boy, if I had known that I was going to play horse-keeper all through a night like this I wouldn't have volunteered to come. I shall want a week's sleep to put me straight." "Why didn't you ask one or two of the sailors to come and help you?" "Why didn't you come and help me?" "You know: because I was obliged to be in attendance on the--" "Comte!" shouted Saint Simon. "You will be spoiling the expedition before you have done." "Yes, it is hard work to remember. I am sorry, though, Saint Simon. You know that I would have come and helped you if I could." "Oh yes, I know," said the other. "I couldn't trust anyone to help, for the poor beasts knew me, and at the worst times a word or two and a pat on the neck seemed to calm them, and they left off shivering with cold and fear; but I have had a night such as I don't want to have again." "You must have had. But the skipper says that we shall soon be in smooth water, and that there will be some breakfast in an hour." "Heugh!" ejaculated Saint Simon. "Breakfast here! I don't want anything till we get on shore--if we ever do. Here, look behind you." Denis turned sharply, to see a familiar face in the full sunshine peering over the edge of the hatchway and looking about, but apparently not seeing what was sought till a hand appeared to shade its owner's eyes, sending forth a flash or two of light from a ring upon one of the fingers. "Why, it's the--" "Comte!" said Saint Simon quickly. "Stop here, and lay hold of his horse."