and roll in a fearful
manner, as if it would wrench them from their anchors and drive them
against the dangerous Goodwin Sands. As Jack looked out he could see,
indeed, some of the ships torn away from their anchors, apparently, and
driven hopelessly before the gale. Over others the sea was breaking
furiously, sending the spray high above them, and seeming every moment
about to carry them to the bottom. Those who had been in many a battle,
and gone through many a storm, felt their hearts, for the first time
perhaps, sinking with fear, as the thunder crashed above their heads and
the lightning flashed about the masts, while the foaming seas dashed up
and round them on every side. The position of the "Lennox" was indeed
perilous in the extreme, and little comfort could her crew gain by
watching the fate of others. A large ship lay within sight--she was the
"Mary"--with Rear-Admiral Beaumont's flag flying on board. Sea after
sea came dashing and breaking over her. Now those whose eyes were
turned in that direction saw that she began to move.

"She is driving! she is driving!" exclaimed several.

An instant afterwards she was seen carried before the gale, and ere many
minutes had passed was thrown helplessly upon the Goodwins. Scarcely
had she touched the fatal sands when her masts, bending like
willow-wands, went by the board. The seas leaped triumphantly over her,
and in the short time of one hour, scarce a timber of the stout ship
hung together, while those who looked on knew well what must be the fate
of all her brave crew. Not a man could be expected to live in that
foaming sea. The same fate might any moment be the lot of those on
board the "Lennox."

Thus the whole night was passed, no one knowing whether the next hour
would not be their last. For a long time the gale gave no signs of
abating. The thunder roared as loudly as ever, and the lightning
flashed round their heads. Sometimes, as the vivid lightning enabled
them to pierce the otherwise surrounding gloom, they saw far off some
noble ship torn from her anchors, or the masts of another disappearing
beneath the waves.

When morning broke at length, fearful was the scene of destruction which
met their gaze. Here and there fragments of wreck could be
distinguished on the Goodwins, while many other ships which had escaped
the hurricane presented a shattered and forlorn appearance. By seven
o'clock providentially the wind began to fall, and in a