est
sea-boat out of Kenway Cove, but she was certainly not a fast craft, and
was inclined to make as much way to leeward as she did ahead. She was
now standing over to the French coast, but Stephen and his friends were
unwilling to land there except in a case of great necessity. Should
they be discovered, the French Government, who were friendly with James,
would be very likely to hand them over to him. Their only hope was to
get into some retired place on the coast of Normandy, where they might
live unnoticed, and engage themselves in fishing or some other
employment. The wind increased; now the rain came down in torrents,
drenching through those who were but ill-protected, old Joe, in a thick
woollen coat, and a pipe in his mouth, and a tarpaulin drawn down over
his head, looking as unconcerned as if it were a fine summer day. He
advised Andrew and Simon to get into the cuddy.

"You ain't of much use," he observed, "and there is no reason why you
should get wet through to do no one good. Mr Stephen here may do as he
pleases; we are likely enough to want his help; he has shown that he can
give it."

Andrew and Simon, though they did not feel complimented, followed the
old sailor's advice, but the tossing and the tremendous thumps which
they heard every instant against the bow of the vessel, effectually
prevented them from going to sleep, and made them wish to get out again.
They felt also very sick and uncomfortable: the cuddy was hot and
close. The gale increased, and old Joe deemed it necessary to take down
the last reef and lower the fore-sail, keeping only the small storm-jib
set. The operation took some time, and while Stephen was assisting in
shifting the jibs, a sea struck the bows, and carried him off his legs.
Providentially he clung to the forestay, or he would have, the next
instant, been overboard; but he saved himself. He got the storm-jib
hauled well on board before the next sea struck the vessel. Sail being
reduced, everything was made snug, and he came aft. Looking into the
cuddy, he inquired how his friends were getting on.

"Very badly," they both answered. "How soon is the gale likely to be
over?"

"It is impossible to say," he answered. "It may likely enough come on
to blow harder; we shall then have to heave the vessel to, and wait till
it decreases."

Andrew and Simon groaned on hearing this, and wished themselves safe on
shore. In a few minutes Joe determined to heave the vess