he quarter-deck,
more than a match for the worst fury of wind and wave.

But no ship that ever has been or ever will be built could possibly
pass through the ordeal of the Sable Island breakers, whose awful
thunder might at any moment be heard above the howling of the blast.
At breakfast-time the worn and weary passengers gathered around the
table for what would, in all probability, be their last meal on board
the _Francis_, and perhaps their last on earth. The fare was not very
tempting, for what could the cooks do under such circumstances? But
the passengers felt no disposition to complain. Indeed, they had
little appetite to eat, and were only making a pretence of doing so,
when a sailor burst into the cabin, his bronzed face blanched with
fear, as he shouted breathlessly,--

"Captain says for all to come up on deck. The ship will strike in a
minute."

Instantly there was wild confusion and a mad rush for the
companion-way; but Major Maunsell waited to take Eric's hand tightly
into his before pressing on with the others. When they reached the
deck an awful scene met their eyes. The fog had lifted considerably,
so that it was possible to see some distance from the ship; and there,
right across her bows, not more than a quarter of a mile away, a
tremendous line of breakers stretched as far as eye could see.

Straight into their midst the _Francis_ was helplessly driving at the
bidding of the storm-fiend. No possible way of escape! Not only did
the breakers extend to right and left until they were lost in the
shifting fog, but the nearest line was evidently only an advance-guard;
for beyond it other lines, not less formidable, could be dimly
descried, rearing their snowy crests of foam as they rolled fiercely
onward.

"Heaven help us!" cried Major Maunsell, as with one swift glance he
took in the whole situation; and drawing Eric close to him, he made his
way through the confusion to the foot of the main-mast, which offered a
secure hold for the time being.

A few minutes later the _Francis_ struck the first bar with a shock
that sent everybody who had not something to hold on to tumbling upon
the deck. But for the major's forethought, both he and Eric might at
that moment have been borne off into the boiling surges; for a
tremendous billow rushed upon the helpless vessel, sweeping her from
stern to stem, and carrying away a number of the soldiers, who, having
nothing to hold on by, were picked up like