tion was held; it
was the general opinion that the land seen was Mizen Head, and that if
there were light sufficient, Cape Clear would be seen on their quarter.
They might take shelter in Crook Haven; but under the uncertainty that
the point seen was Mizen Head, the master refused to undertake the
fearful responsibility. The determination to keep the sea was also more
in accordance with the captain's inclinations.

"She has drifted to leeward more than I suspected; we must yet shake
another reef out of the topsails," he observed. "What say you, master--
do you think she will bear it?"

"She must bear it," was the answer.

"She will bear it," said Jack Lawrence, positively.

The united strength of all the crew was required to perform the
operation.

"All hands on deck!" shouted the boatswain, giving emphasis to the
summons with his shrill whistle.

Directly the order was given one of the first aloft was Claymore; Morton
followed him on to the main-yard; it was not his duty to go aloft, but
he could not resist the impulse which made him do so. It was fearful
work, holding on to that yard, up in the darkness, with the fierce gale
howling round their heads and the ship pitching furiously, while at the
same time she heeled down over the roaring seas. The word was given to
let go; but before the sail could be sheeted home it shook and
struggled, almost freeing itself from the sturdy crew who were hauling
away on the sheet.

Morton felt as if he should be shaken off the yard, but a hand with a
firm grasp held him, nor let him go till he had reached the top. They
descended on deck.

"Thank you, Lord Claymore," said Morton, warmly; "had you not held me I
might have lost my life."

"I don't say you would have deserved it," said the tall midshipman; "but
why rush to a post of danger without necessity? stronger and older men
are better fitted for the task you attempted. It was my duty, and I
went. However, I like your spirit, Morton. If we weather this cape we
shall know more of each other; if our masts go over the side, or we
otherwise fail, we may none of us see another sunrise."

He spoke as coolly and calmly as if talking on some ordinary topic.

Away the ship plunged through the seas more furiously than ever, bending
down till it seemed as if her yard-arms literally touched the foaming
tops of the seas as they came rolling and hissing by. Every officer was
at his post: the captain, with his lips compress