y to attend to them." Jack Ivyleaf looked
as if he was afraid that his companions wished to enlist him in the
service he dreaded, and was evidently trying to make his escape from
them.

The captain and first officer were on deck. The latter had been casting
an eager look for some time to the north-west.

"We shall have it soon, sir," he observed, pointing with his hand.

"Turn the hands up, Mr Windy, and trim sails," said the captain in a
cheerful voice. "See there, gentlemen, those clouds yonder are the
pleasantest sight I have seen for many days." A low bank of clouds
could be observed resting on the horizon. It grew higher and higher
every instant, while a dark line could be seen extending across the
ocean in the same direction. The sea, however, continued as calm as
before; around the ship not a ripple could be seen on its surface. The
crew, hurrying from below, went to their stations, all eyes being turned
in the direction of the approaching clouds. Presently cats'-paws began
to play over the mirror-like expanse, and then to disappear; the sails
slowly bulged out, and speedily again hung down as listlessly as before
against the masts. The dark line grew brighter and brighter; presently
the loftier sails swelled out, and the ship began to glide smoothly over
the ocean. The joyful news was communicated below, and all who were not
in their beds came up on deck. The ship, at length feeling the power of
the helm, was put before the wind. The dark line now increased
gradually in width, and seemed covered with sparkling foam; a rushing
noise was heard; in another instant almost the aspect of the whole ocean
was changed; the sails bulged out steadily; waves, at first but small,
danced up astern, and on either side their crests hissing and foaming,
while the spray in broad sheets flew off from their summits. Now the
stout ship dashed forward, every instant increasing her speed, as if
eager to make up for the time lost. On she went, faster and faster,
rising to the seas, and plunging into them as they rolled around her.
The lighter sails were taken in. A strong gale was blowing--it was
increasing too. The clouds now rapidly gathered in dense masses across
the sky; the seamen were busy in all directions securing the boats, the
spars, and other articles hitherto left about the deck.

"We shall have a heavy gale, gentlemen, before long," observed the
captain, in answer to Mr Paget's and Charles' inquiries res