He was very weary,
and, though fully alive to the danger so near at hand, could not keep
from falling into a fitful slumber, as he lay upon the cushioned seat
that encircled the cabin, Prince stationing himself at his side and
pillowing his head in his lap.

Poor Prince was by no means so handsome a creature now as when his good
looks and good manners won the captain's heart. The long stormy
passage had been very hard upon him. He had grown gaunt, and his
smooth, shiny skin had become rough and unkempt. Otherwise, however,
he was not much the worse, and was quite ready for active duty if his
services should be needed.

Awaking from a light sleep, in which he dreamed that he and Prince were
having a glorious romp on the lawn at Oakdene, which somehow seemed to
be undulating in a very curious fashion, Eric caught sight of Major
Maunsell returning to the cabin after a visit to the upper deck, and at
once ran up to him and plied him with eager questions.

"Is the storm getting any better, and will it soon be daylight again?"

The major did his best to look cheerful as he answered,--

"Well, the storm is no worse, Eric, at all events, and it will not be
long before daylight comes."

"But even if we should be wrecked," said Eric, looking pleadingly into
the major's face, "we might all get ashore all right, mightn't we?
I've often read of shipwrecks in which everybody was saved."

"Certainly, my boy, certainly," replied the major promptly, although
deep down in his heart he seemed to hear Captain Reefwell's ominous
words, "Sable Island makes sure work."

"And, major," continued Eric, "I'm going to keep tight hold of Prince's
collar if we do get wrecked. He can swim ever so much better than I
can, and he'll pull me ashore all right, won't he?"

"That's a capital idea of yours, my boy," said the major, smiling
tenderly upon him. "Keep tight hold of Prince, by all means. You
couldn't have a better life-preserver."

"I don't want to be wrecked, that's certain; but if we are, I'm very
glad I've got Prince here to help me--the dear old fellow that he is!"
And so saying, Eric threw himself down upon his dog and gave him a
hearty hug, which the mastiff evidently much enjoyed. Day broke at
last, if the slow changing of the thick darkness into a dense gray fog
could rightly be called daybreak.

The _Francis_ still bravely battled with the tempest. She had proved
herself a trusty ship, and, with Captain Reefwell on t