increased. We were off the northern coast of New Jersey. The wind was
veering round more to the eastward, and we were getting a rock-bound
shore under our lee. There were harbours I might run into, but the
thick weather had prevented me from taking any observations, and though
by my log I could tell pretty well how far we had run, yet I could not
be certain, and, unless from dire necessity, I was unwilling to attempt
to make any port short of the Delaware. At times the wind hauled a
little more round to the northward, and as it did so my hopes
proportionally rose of being able to keep off shore.

Only for a moment did I at times leave the deck to speak a word of
comfort to my passengers. Mrs Tarleton was, I saw, fully aware of our
danger. I think her niece suspected it, but if she did she completely
concealed all signs of fear. On one occasion, when I entered the cabin,
they rose from their knees. Together they had been offering up prayers
to Him who alone can quell the tempest, for our safety. Their last
words reached my ears. I stood at the door and humbly joined in their
petition. I quickly had to return on deck. I had been obliged, when
the wind shifted, to get some after-sail on the vessel. She heeled over
fearfully, yet I knew must be making great lee-way. I could not venture
to take any canvas off her.

"What do you think of it, Grampus?" said I, after some time.

"Why, sir, I don't like it," was his unsatisfactory reply.

I did not again ask him his opinion. The sea kept flying over us, the
night grew darker and darker, and the gale blew stronger and stronger.
The leak was increasing. Two hands were kept constantly at the pumps.
I wished for Mr Saul Cobb and his companions. Nothing could be well
worse. Still I never for a moment lost courage. I felt sure that the
prayers of those below would not be uttered in vain. The hours wore
away. I kept a bright look-out on the starboard bow to discover
breakers, should they be near, while my ears were constantly awake to
detect their terror-inspiring sound. How I longed for daylight! I
dared not lay-to: I dared not shorten sail. I could only stand on with
any prospect of safety. The gale increased: the sea was constantly
making a clean breach over the deck. All hands had to hold on fast, or
we should have been washed overboard. At the same time the water was
gaining terribly on us. A new danger threatened the schooner; she might
founder bef