onster sea, roaring astern.
High above her quarters it rose, and down it rushed on her decks,
wellnigh swamping her. All the hatches had before been secured; but,
had not the ports been open, so as to allow the water immediately to run
out, it would have swamped her. The half-drowned crew shook themselves
as they once more emerged from the weight of water above them. Happily,
none were washed away.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

IN PERILOUS CONDITION.

The little half-sinking schooner dashed on amid the raging seas, now
lifted up to the summit of one surrounded by hissing foam, now sinking
down into the gloomy hollow between others which seemed as if they were
about instantly to engulf her. Again another sea struck her; and had
not every one held on tight to the rigging or bulwarks, her deck would
have been cleared, as it made a clean wash fore and aft.

"We must not run this risk again!" exclaimed Murray. "All hands go
below; one on deck is enough. I'll take the helm. No expostulation,
Adair; remember, I am commanding officer. I am determined to do it."

Adair, with a bad grace, was obliged to obey with the rest. They all
went below, and Murray battened down the hatches. Lashing himself to
the helm, he alone remained on deck through that fearful gale. The sea
roared around the little vessel, the wind whistled through the shrouds,
fierce lightnings darted from the dark heavy clouds, the thunder rattled
in deafening peals, while deluges of rain and spray flew about his head
and almost blinded him. Yet, undaunted as at the first, he stood like
some spirit of the storm at his dangerous post.

Those below tried to sleep, to pass away the time, but so fearful was
the tumult that sleep refused to visit even the seamen's eyes. Hour
after hour passed by. Still, by the noise and the movement of the
vessel, it was too evident that the gale continued. Adair calculated
that it must already be almost day. Just then the vessel became more
steady, and the noise of the storm considerably diminished. Adair was
surprised that Murray did not take off the hatches. He was anxious to
go on deck to relieve him. He knocked and knocked again on the
skylight. He called and called out again and again. There was no
answer. With frantic energy he attempted to burst open the skylight.
The dreadful idea seized him that Murray, his brave and noble friend,
had been washed overboard and lost.

He and his companions again knocked s