at a
squall was brewing. Suddenly the clouds, as if impelled by some mighty
impulse, came rushing on, not in a direct line, but with a circular
motion, towards the spot where lay the two ships of war.

"All hands shorten sail," cried the first lieutenant. "Man the fore and
main clew-garnets, spanker brails--topsail-halyards--clew up--haul down,
let fly of all." These and sundry other orders followed in rapid
succession. The squall, seeming to gain rapidity as it advanced, struck
the frigate before it was expected. Jack and Murray had hurried with
others to their stations aloft, and were endeavouring as rapidly as they
could to get those orders they received executed, but the exertions of
all were insufficient to take the canvas off the ship in time. Over
heeled the frigate on her beam end, the water rushing in at her lee
ports--some of the sails were split to ribbons, sheets and halyards were
flying loose, and a scene of confusion prevailed such as she had never
before been in. The whole surface of the ocean was a mass of white
foam, surrounded by which the ship lay an almost helpless wreck. The
helm was put up but she would not answer it.

"We shall have to cut away the mizen-mast," observed the captain. "But
we'll try and make head sail on her first." This was done. A
suppressed shout of satisfaction showed that she felt its power, and
away she flew like a sea-bird before the squall, the darkness of night
coming on to bide all surrounding objects from their view. Then, and
not till then, had any one time to turn a glance towards the _Onyx_.
Not a glimpse of her was to be seen. Jack and Murray had watched the
boats get alongside, and they were on the point of being hoisted in when
the squall struck the frigate. Both of them had a sad apprehension that
they had seen the masts of the brig bending down before the squall, but
so great at the moment was the uproar and confusion that it appeared
more like the vision of a dream than a reality. The instant the squall
blew over, the frigate beat back towards the spot where, as far as it
could be calculated, the brig had last been seen. Had she bore up she
must have been passed. In vain every eye on board was engaged in
looking out for her. All night long the frigate tacked backwards and
forwards. Not a trace of her could be discovered. Daylight returned;
the sun arose; his glorious beams played joyfully over the blue surface
of the ocean just rippled by a s