cay, when
contrary winds and a storm drove the _Galatea_ to take refuge in the
port of Lisbon.

The captain was anxious to make his way to Constantinople, and against
the advice of Colley and the second mate sailed out from Lisbon in
rough weather.

"The storm is over," he said, "and I've no time to spend with the men
kicking their heels aboard, or going ashore to get into mischief."

So the orders were given, and the _Galatea_ went curtesying over the
billows, under a bright sky, with all sails set.

"We are in the track of a storm, and if I'm not mistaken," Colley said,
"we shall find ourselves in a worst plight before forty-eight hours
have come and gone. I never saw the moon look as she did last night
without a meaning."

But for that night Colley's prophecy seemed to be unfulfilled. The
wind sank, the sea became like glass, and the _Galatea_ made but little
progress. The weather was intensely hot, and the nights scarcely
cooler than the days.

It was on the evening of the second day, after sailing out of the port
of Lisbon, that Colley asked Jack if he saw a dark line drawn along the
horizon.

"Yes," Jack said, "I see."

"That's the storm coming, and it will be upon us fast enough."

The captain, who was standing at his post with his glass, saw it also,
and very soon orders were shouted to reef sails, and "every man to his
post."

Before a landsman could believe it possible, the mysterious dark line
had spread over the sky, and there was a hissing sound as of coming
breakers. Then a swift forked flash struck across the waters, and was
followed by a peal of thunder which was deafening. In another quarter
of an hour the waves were roaring, and the noise of the thunder and the
gathered blackness of darkness were awful.

The _Galatea_ was well manned, and every one of the crew held gallantly
to their post. The captain encouraged the frightened passengers, and
tried to quiet their fears.

Jack obeyed orders, and never flinched from his duty.

Presently the angry billows broke with terrific violence over the poor
_Galatea_, and she bowed herself in her distress till the masts and
timbers creaked, and every time she went down into the deep valleys
between the mountainous waves, it seemed impossible that she should
right herself again.

"We are in great peril, boy," Colley said in Jack's ear, or rather he
shouted the words at the pitch of his voice. "You put your trust in
God, and He will hear yo