ould
scarcely have been compelled to encounter more difficulties and mishaps;
such a witch as Shakespeare describes as sailing in a sieve, and like a
rat without a tail doing something dreadful.

On the 29th the wind was favourable and light, and the big galleon was
gliding swiftly over a smooth, laughing sea, when, the decks having been
washed down, I was taking a turn, as was my custom before breakfast,
with Martin.

"Fine weather, sir," he remarked. "After all our mishaps there seems a
fair prospect of our getting into port in safety."

"There's many a slip between the cup and the lip, and for my part I
never again will make sure of a thing till I have got it in my hand, and
then I should look very sharp that it does not jump out again," was my
answer, for I was, I own, beginning to be discontented with sublunary
affairs in general.

"Oh, no fear now, I think, but what we shall get the rich old galleon
safe into port at last, and some day touch the prize-money she will
bring us," remarked Martin, rubbing his hands at the thought of the
wealth he was about to obtain, and the way in which he would very soon
manage to get through it.

"Breakfast ready, sir," said Tom Rockets, coming up to me and touching
his cap. He was doing the duty of Jenker, my steward, who had broken
his leg in one of the many gales we had encountered.

I invited Martin to breakfast with me. When we left the deck the wind
was light and the sky had scarcely a cloud floating on it to dim its
splendour. We had finished a plate of scraped salt beef, and had begun
upon a salt herring, (what would I not have given for a fresh, juicy
mutton chop!) I had just taken a cup of coffee and Martin was helping
himself, holding up the coffee-pot, when I saw it and him and the
breakfast-things gliding away to leeward, and felt myself following
them. There was a terrific roaring sound and a loud rush of waters
almost overwhelming the shouts and cries of the people on deck. Over
went everything in a confused mass. I rushed out of the cabin, followed
by Martin, to ascertain what had occurred, though I had no doubt about
the matter. The ship had overset in one of the sudden squalls to which
these seas are liable. There she lay like a log, with her sails almost
in the water. She appeared to me to be going lower and lower every
instant. Nothing could exceed the confusion the deck presented. The
crew were rushing about and letting go any ropes they cou