d peals of thunder, the sea dashing against the ship's sides,
the howling of the wind in the rigging, the stamp of the men's feet
overhead, and other noises sounding terrific in her ears. The uproar
continued to increase, and the ship seemed to tumble about more and
more. At last she could endure it no longer.

"I must go on deck and see what is the matter," she said to herself
putting on her cloak and hat. She endeavoured to make her way to the
companion-ladder, first being thrown on one side and then on the other,
and running a great risk of hurting herself. At length, however, she
managed to reach the foot of the ladder. Just at that moment Walter
appeared at the top of it, looking down at her. She felt greatly
relieved on seeing him.

"Oh, what has happened?" she exclaimed as he came below.

"Only a regular Cape Horn gale," he answered. "We have got the ship
under close-reefed fore and main topsails, and she is behaving nobly.
It is cold, to be sure; but the men have been sent below, as they could
be spared, to put on warmer clothing, and we shall get out of it some
day or other."

Walter's remarks greatly restored Alice's spirits. She had expected to
see him with alarm on his countenance, bringing her the announcement
that the ship was in fearful danger. The time had not been quite so
long as Alice had supposed. Nub brought in dinner for her and Walter,
which he advised them to take on the deck of the cabin, as there would
be little use in placing it on the table, in spite of puddings and
fiddles to keep the dishes in their places.

"You see, Missie Alice, if de ship gib a roll on one side den half de
soup go out, and den when she gib a roll on de oder side de oder half go
out, and you get none; and de 'taties come flying ober in de same way;
den de meat jump out of de dish, and before you can stop it will be on
de oder side of de cabin; and de mustard and pepper pots dey go cruising
about by demselves. Now, if you sit on de deck, you put de tings in one
corner and you sit round dem, and when dey jump up you catch dem and put
dem back, and tell dem to stop till you want to eat dem."

Nub's graphic description of the effects likely to be produced by the
storm induced Alice and Walter to agree to his proposal, and they
partook of their meal in a corner of the cabin. The latter enjoyed it,
for he was very hungry. Alice could eat but little; she was, however,
very anxious that her father should come