opaque white
clouds, and the sea was rising fast. Another ten minutes, and then they
were under double-reefed topsails, and the squalls were accompanied with
heavy rain. The frigate now dashed through the waves, foaming in her
course and straining under the press of sail. The horizon was so thick
that the vessels ahead were no longer to be seen.

"We shall have it, I expect," said Captain Wilson.

"Didn't I say so?" observed Martin to Gascoigne. "We take no prizes
this day, depend upon it."

"We must have another hand to the wheel, sir, if you please," said the
quarter-master, who was assisting the helmsman.

Mr Pottyfar, with his hands concealed as usual, stood by the capstern.
"I fear, sir, we cannot carry the mainsail much longer."

"No," observed the chaplain, "I was thinking so."

"Captain Wilson, if you please, we are very close in," said the master:
"don't you think we had better go about?"

"Yes, Mr Jones. Hands about ship--and--yes, by heavens, we must!--up
mainsail."

The mainsail was taken off, and the frigate appeared to be immediately
relieved. She no longer jerked and plunged as before.

"We're very near the land, Captain Wilson; thick as it is, I think I can
make out the loom of it--shall we wear round, sir?" continued the
master.

"Yes--hands wear ship--put the helm up."

It was but just in time, for, as the frigate flew round, describing a
circle, as she payed off before the wind, they could perceive the
breakers lashing the precipitous coast not two cables' length from them.

"I had no idea we were so near," observed the captain, compressing his
lips--"can they see anything of those vessels?"

"I have not seen them this quarter of an hour, sir," replied the
signalman, protecting his glass from the rain under his jacket.

"How's her head now, quarter-master?"

"South south-east, sir."

The sky now assumed a different appearance--the white clouds had been
exchanged for others dark and murky, the wind roared at intervals, and
the rain came down in torrents. Captain Wilson went down into the cabin
to examine the barometer.

"The barometer has risen," said he on his return on deck. "Is the wind
steady?"

"No, sir, she's up and off three points."

"This will end in a south-wester."

The wet and heavy sails now flapped from the shifting of the wind.

"Up with the helm, quarter-master."

"Up it is--she's off to south-by-west."

The wind lulled, the rain came down in a delu