"Do I think it would be wise to put on a life-belt, Mr Lane?" "Yes." The words were shouted into the ear of one of the speakers, and yelled back as, like others about the vessel, they clung to the side, now to be raised high, now to be plunged down again, as the Planet, with only a rag or two of storm canvas set, rode over a huge wave and seemed as if turned into some new and ponderous kind of diving apparatus about to seek the wonders at the bottom of the eastern seas. But after her tremendous plunge right into a hollow she rose again, shook off the water which deluged the deck and staggered on. Just then a dimly seen figure sidled up to the two speakers, held on tightly, and shouted- "I say, Mr Rimmer, isn't that man steering very wildly?" "Who's to steer tamely, sir, in a sea like this? Man has enough to do to keep from being washed overboard."