n on this northern
coast for some time, and then go back to Port Royal, with lots of
prizes, I have no doubt, and perhaps the pirate among them."

Ellen and Norman had to part, but they expected ere long to meet again
at Kingston, to which place Mr Ferris intended returning as soon as the
country was considered safe for travelling.

As the evening was approaching, Lieutenant Foley had to hurry his men to
the boats, after a friendly parting with Archie Sandys. He had another
reason for making haste, for he did not altogether like the look of the
sky.

"What do you think of the weather, Mr Dobbs?" he asked.

"Coming on nasty, to my mind," answered the boatswain, casting his eye
round the horizon. "Whether it is one of them hurricanes which blow in
those seas, or only a common gale, I can't just say; but the sooner we
are aboard, and the ship can get a good offing, the better."

Crowhurst, who had been some time before in the West Indies, was of the
boatswain's opinion, and thought that they had already delayed too long;
but, then, he was not, like the lieutenant, in love, and had found
nothing of especial interest on shore.

The commander was highly pleased at hearing of the service his officers
and men had performed, and did not blame the lieutenant for remaining on
shore so long. Indeed, he observed, "Had no other force appeared to
protect the house, I should have considered it right to send you, with
the marines and a few seamen, back to guard it, in case the rebels
should return."

Norman heartily wished that Jack Pemberton with his friends, and Major
Malcolm with his troops, had marched after the rebels, instead of coming
to Bellevue.

The commander had observed the signs of a change of weather, and by the
master's advice, who felt sure that a heavy gale would soon be blowing,
though he could not say from what quarter it might come, the ship's head
was put off shore, so as to gain as good an offing as possible before it
was down upon them. The wind increased, and though the _Champion_ could
still carry her whole canvas, it was necessary to keep a bright look-out
against a sudden squall, all hands remaining on deck, ready to shorten
sail at a moment's notice.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE CHAMPION IN A HURRICANE--HOVE ON HER BEAM-ENDS--LOSS OF MAIN AND
MIZEN-MASTS--RUNS ON BEFORE THE GALE--STRIKES ON A REEF--AN ISLAND
DISCOVERED AT DAYBREAK--BOATS AND STORES GOT OUT--THE CREW REACH THE
SHORE--WATER FOUN