d her to the cabin, where she could receive from her mother that
comfort she needed so much; while the governor with friendly sympathy,
taking Vaughan's arm, endeavoured to calm his agitation and prevent him
from madly leaping into the sea.

"Oh, steer the ship to their assistance! We must go and help them,"
shouted Vaughan, not knowing what he said.

"The attempt were vain," said the captain; "long ere we could reach the
spot where yonder ship has gone down, all who were on board her will
have perished;" and he made a sign to the governor, and others standing
round to carry the young man below. They succeeded, Vaughan moving like
one in a dream. The admiral assured Lettice and her brother that it was
possible the ship they had seen go down was not the _Rainbow_, for
though small compared to their own ship, she was a stout, well-built
bark, and might contend successfully with even a worse storm than was
then blowing; adding that one of the vessels seen in the distance bore a
great resemblance to her; indeed, by every means in his power, he
endeavoured to restore their spirits. He was compelled, however, soon
to leave them, to attend to the navigation of the ship. He and Captain
Newport held an earnest consultation, for the fierce storm, instead of
giving signs of abating, was hourly gaining strength.

The wind, which first came from the north-east, now shifted suddenly
round, greatly increasing the height of the seas, and fearfully
straining the labouring vessel.

Night coming on, the other ships were lost to sight; no one could tell
in what direction they had gone. Those who were inclined to look at
matters in the darkest light believed that they had foundered. Not for
a moment did the brave admiral leave the deck. Now, the rain pouring
down, all was pitchy darkness; and then suddenly a vivid flash of
lightning showed the whole deck, and the pallid faces of the crew--for
even the stoutest-hearted looked pale; and well they might, for the
raging seas threatened every instant to engulf them. Few men surrounded
by such horrors can face death unappalled.

Thus that dreadful night passed on. But matters had not come to the
worst; the admiral sat on the deck, conning the ship, endeavouring with
all the nautical skill he possessed, in which no man surpassed him, to
keep her before the wind. The carpenter, who had been below to sound
the well, rushed up, a flash of lightning exhibiting his countenance
pale as d