Nevertheless, I have made provision for that.
There is a short tube alongside the mast, and fixed to it, which runs a little below the deck and rises a foot above it so as to be well above the wash of most waves, and in the deck near the stern there is a small hole with a cap fitted so as to turn the water but admit the air.

Thus free circulation of air is established below deck." Suddenly a hissing sound was heard to windward.
"Look out, Moses," said Van der Kemp.

"There it comes.

Let go the sheet.
Keep good hold of your paddle, Nigel." The warning was by no means unnecessary, for as the canoe's head was turned to meet the blast, a hissing sheet of white water swept right over the tiny craft, completely submerging it, insomuch that the three men appeared to be sitting more than waist-deep in the water.
"Lower the mainsail!" shouted the hermit, for the noise of wind and sea had become deafening.
Nigel obeyed and held on to the flapping sheet.

The hermit had at the same moment let go the foresail, the flapping of which he controlled by a rope-tackle arranged for the purpose.