Slowly, slowly those last three feet were conquered, inch by inch, and the broad hand stole stealthily over the small wooden truck at the topmast-head till it had a firm hold--then the other, and with the two he raised and pushed his body up till the truck was opposite his breast.
"Skal to the Viking!" yelled old Sturleson, the Swedish captain, his sunburnt face glowing red with triumph as Claudius clapped the woollen cap over the mast-head.
"Well done, indeed, man!" bawled the Duke.
"Well," said Barker, "it was worth the money, anyhow." There was a faint exclamation from the door of the after-cabin; but none of the three men heard it, nor did they see a horror-struck face, stony and wide-eyed, staring up at the mast-head, where the Doctor's athletic figure swayed far out over the water with the motion of the yacht.

Time had flown, and the bright sunlight streaming down into the ladies' cabin had made Margaret long for a breath of fresh air; so that when Lady Victoria appeared, in all sorts of jersies and blue garments, fresh and ready for anything, the two had made common cause and ventured up the companion without any manly assistance.

It chanced that they came out on the deck at the very moment when Claudius was accomplishing his feat, and seeing the three men looking intently at something aloft, Margaret looked too, and was horrified at what she saw.

Lady Victoria caught her and held her tightly, or she would have lost her footing with the lurch of the vessel.

Lady Victoria raised her eyes also, and took in the situation at a glance.
"Don't be afraid," she said, "he can take care of himself, no doubt.