ose up the
watery ridge only to sink down again into another watery valley. Still
on she tore. The master was keeping his word. On a sudden there was a
cry; then followed a fearful crash.

"Oh, my father! he may have been killed," exclaimed Edda, as she rushed
on deck.

Both the masts had gone by the board, and the brig lay a helpless wreck
on the tossing waters. The frigate was close to them. For an instant a
wild hope rose in Edda's heart. Was she after all the "Imperious?"

The hope was soon banished. The flag of France flew out from the
stranger's peak. Edda looked round for her father, trembling with fear.
He had fallen, and lay on the deck unable to rise. She rushed towards
him, all his unkindness, his harshness and injustice forgotten. She
attempted to lift him up; but her strength was unequal to the task. He
soon somewhat recovered.

"I am not materially injured, I fancy," he said at length. "This is a
fearful accident; I was struck by a falling block, and was stunned. I
shall be myself again directly. But where is the master? What has
become of the crew?"

Edda gazed horror-struck at the spectacle which met her sight. Several
of the men lay crushed under the masts and heavy spars which had fallen
on the deck, a few who had leaped below were returning to their
assistance, but Captain Carlton was nowhere to be seen. Just then a cry
struck Edda's ears; she gazed out on the foam-covered sea. Among the
wildly leaping waves she caught sight of the old master's countenance--
it was turned towards the brig with a look of agony. He was swimming
bravely, sorely buffeted as he was by the seas. The effort was beyond
his strength. With a wild cry he threw up his arms, and the next sea
rolled over his head.

Edda would have sunk with horror had not the call of duty supported her.

"Father! oh come below! we can do nothing to help ourselves, and shall
be safe there," she exclaimed, in an imploring tone.

"No, no, girl; I must be on deck to receive our captors. See, they are
coming!"

He raised himself to his feet, and was pointing to the frigate, which,
having passed to windward of the dismasted brig, was now hove-to. A
boat was at that instant being lowered from her side.

"Then I will not leave you, father," said his daughter, clinging to the
bulwarks near him.

The boat from the French frigate approached; she came close to the brig,
but it was both difficult and dangerous for the crew t