"After a bit he quieted down somewhat, and I took hold of the lifebelt too, as I began to feel done up. There was no sign of the ship, and I thought she had missed us and that I had lost the number of my mess; but soon afterwards I saw her bearing down, and we were taken aboard." "Well, let's be thankful it's no worse," remarked my father, smiling. "Now cut away for'ard and enjoy your smoke, and tell the bos'n that it's your watch below to-night." "Thank'ee, sir," said Lewis, saluting and backing out of the saloon as if thankful for his release. In obedience to an order, three of the seamen carried the still sleeping yachtsman into my cabin and placed him in bed. "He'll be comfortable there, Reggie," remarked the pater. "And you can sleep on the spare bunk in my cabin to-night. To-morrow we may no doubt hear an interesting story of his adventures. Now, tell Johnston to hurry up with the dinner." Chapter IX AN ADDITION TO THE CREW BY daybreak on the following morning the gale had moderated, and, the wind being dead aft, the mainsail and mizzen had been stowed and the square sail set. We had passed Ushant light during the night and were now well into the Bay. When I came on deck there was nothing to be seen save an unbroken waste of water; although the waves were not so high nor so steep, they were of great distance from crest to crest, as, with unfailing regularity, they rolled into the Bay from the vast Atlantic. After breakfast I went into my cabin to see how the rescued man was progressing. He was asleep, but while I was engaged in taking some articles from a drawer he awoke with a sudden start and sat up in his bunk. "Where am I?" he asked. "On board the yacht 'Fortuna.'" "How did I get here? Ah! I remember." "How do you feel this morning?" I inquired politely. "Is there anything you require?" "I should like something to drink, for my throat is like a limekiln. What's this?" he added, placing his hand over his bandaged face. "Have I had a cut?" "Yes, a slight one," I replied. "Take it easy, and I'll send Johnston in with your breakfast." I went out, and, having told our steward to take the stranger a good meal, I rejoined the pater and informed him that the man was awake. "What are we going to do with him?" I asked. "Put him aboard the first homeward-bound vessel we speak to, or else land him at Gib. Poor fellow, he's had a narrow squeak, but I cannot for the life of me understand why foolhardy fellows persist in taking, single-handed, risks in small yachts. When we had the 'Spray,' keeping in sight of land was good enough for me, and then only with a sharp eye on the barometer. Where he came from and where he was making for seems a mystery, but I suppose we shall know before long." "How far have we come?" I asked, as I saw my father examine the indicator of the log. "A hundred and fifty-six miles in twenty-three hours." "And how far before we sight land?"