Next moment I heard the sailors battening the hatch with hurried blows, and when this was done to their satisfaction, heard their feet also as they ran into shelter.
Another instant and we were all lying in a heap on the cabin floor with poor Tommy on top of us.

The cyclone had struck the ship! Above the wash of water and the screaming of the gale we heard other mysterious sounds, which doubtless were caused by the yards hitting the seas, for the yacht was lying on her side.

I thought that all was over, but presently there came a rending, crashing noise.

The masts, or one of them, had gone, and by degrees we righted.
"Near thing!" said Bickley.

"Good heavens, what's that ?" I listened, for the electric light had temporarily gone out, owing, I suppose, to the dynamo having stopped for a moment.