CHAPTER XI 

MIGUEL TAKES CONTROL 

A black cloud rolled from _Mossamedes'_ funnel and blew across her bows. The beat of engines quickened and when the stern swung up their furious racing shook the ship. Kit pictured Macallister, sternly calm, at the throttle wheel. Much depended on his skill, for if he were slow when the spinning screw came down and the runaway machinery resumed its load, something must break. Kit, however, did not go to the engine-room. He stood at the door of the pilot-house, inside which Miguel Sænz gripped the slanted gratings with his bare feet. His face was wet by sweat and his brown hand was clenched on the steam-steering wheel. 

Although the muscular effort was not great, steering was hard. _Mossamedes_ rode high above water and the gale pressed upon her side; the combers lifted her, and screw and rudder could not get proper hold. Sometimes she came up to windward and rolled until the white seas swept her rail; sometimes she yawed to lee. Kit saw the bows circle and pictured the compass spinning in its bowl. 

So far, Miguel steered by compass. Don Erminio had changed his course and headed obliquely for the shoals. It was not the course the gunboat's captain would expect him to steer. Revillon, no doubt, imagined the line along which _Mossamedes_ travelled inclined at a small angle out to sea, in order to clear the hammered sands, and he could steam down from his commanding position and cut her off. The line, however, really slanted the other way. Dark clouds obscured the sky, the light was bad, and the driving spray made accurate observation hard. Kit thought Don Erminio's plan was good, but longed for dark. 
where did the cloud come from
what color was it
where was he standing
what color was Miguels hand
what did he hold onto with his feet
who was in the pilot house
what did he steer with
what hid the sky
whos plan did Kit like
was it hard to navigate the ship
what shook the ships
who was at the throttle wheel
had they changed direction
was the ability to see bad
who hpoed for it it be dark soon
what was spinnng in its bowl
was this a big storm
has anyone died thus far
did they survive the storm
who was sweating
_Mossamedes'_ funnel
_Mossamedes'_ funnel
black
black
at the door
at the door
brown
brown
slanted gratings
slanted gratings
Miguel Sænz
Miguel Sænz
hand
hand 
Dark clouds
Dark clouds
Don Erminio's
Don Erminio's
Yes
 It was not the course the gunboat's captain would expect him to steer
the gale
the gale
Don Erminio
Don Erminio
Yes.
had changed his course
YEs.
the light was bad
Kit
Kit
the compass
 the compass
Yes
Sometimes she came up to windward and rolled until the white seas swept her rail; sometimes she yawed to lee. Kit saw the bows circle and pictured the compass spinning in its bowl. 

unknown
unknown
Yes
Kit thought Don Erminio's plan was good, but longed for dark.
Miguel
Miguel