; but I suppose the officers know
best."

I told him that the old gentleman had persuaded the captain to prepare
for whatever was coming.

"Ah! he knows, depend on't, Jack," said Peter. "I can't tell what it
is, but there is something curious about that old man. He knows a great
deal about these parts." Such was the opinion all forward had formed of
the stranger.

When the wind fell the sea became like a sheet of glass. A feather
could not have moved over it. It became hotter and closer than ever,
and we were glad to get anywhere out of the sun, stifling even as the
heat was below. Even the old hands, who were inclined to laugh at the
newcomers' complaints of the heat, confessed that they would rather have
it cooler. The rest of the vessels in the harbour, with few exceptions,
had not hitherto been prepared to meet any unusual tempest but lay as if
their crews were totally regardless of any signs of a change. A few,
however, had followed our example by striking their topmasts and getting
out fresh anchors.

Some of the passengers, meantime, were very anxious to go on shore; but
the stranger urged them to remain on board, and assured them that before
they could be half-way there the hurricane would be upon them. Two of
them, however, were incredulous. The boat of a merchantman lying not
far from us, was just then passing with her master in her.

"Ah! I know Captain Williams well. If he is bound for Kingston, he
will give us a passage!" exclaimed one of the gentlemen; and he hailed
the boat. She came alongside, and refusing all warning, they, taking
their portmanteaus, got into her.

"We'll take any message for anyone," they sung out jokingly as they
shoved off. "The storm you are afraid of will blow over, depend on it."

"Fools are wise in their own conceit," muttered the old gentleman, as he
turned on his heel. I remember, even now, the sound of their laughter
as they pulled away up the harbour.

The heat continued to increase, though a thick reddish haze overspread
the sky; but as yet not a vapour floated in it. Suddenly, as if by
magic, from all quarters came hurrying up dark lowering clouds, covering
the whole concave of heaven, a lurid light only gleaming out from near
the horizon. Then, amidst the most terrific roars of thunder, the
brightest flashes of lightning, and the rushing, rattling, crashing
sound of the tempest, there burst upon us a wind, which made the ship
reel like a drunken