there can be no doubt. Tradition declares that articles
have been fished up proving that cities once stood on spots over which
the tides now ebb and flow; but then tradition is the most uncertain of
all uncertain things. Although an iron kettle may have been fished up
from the bottom of the sea, it might only show that it had been thrown
overboard, or washed out of a sunken vessel.

As we had determined not to be defeated, we continued beating backwards
and forwards until we saw the coast of Cornwall, and the bright beams of
Saint Agnes' Lighthouse appeared on our port-bow; while those from the
light-vessel moored off the Seven Stones were seen on the other.

We hailed the Dolphin, which passed us on the opposite tack; and papa
agreed to lead in; "The sooner we are in the harbour the better," he
observed; "I don't quite like the look of the weather."

Clouds had, indeed, been thickly gathering in the south-west; and the
stars, which had hitherto shone brightly, were totally obscured. The
wind also, which had been steady, now began to blow in strong squalls,
compelling us to shorten sail. First, two reefs were taken down in the
mainsail; it was then closely-reefed, while the foresail was hauled
down, and the storm jib set. Still, it was as much as the cutter could
do to look up to it. Heavy seas now began to roll in from the Atlantic,
tumbling the cutter about. Now she rose to the summit of a foam-crested
wave, now she sank down into the hollow.

"Will she ever come up again?" exclaimed Dick, who was clinging on to
the companion hatch. "Oh, dear--oh, dear! I thought the sea was always
going to remain as smooth as it has been since we sailed."

Presently, up we rose again, and Dick drew a long breath. Papa,
however, advised him to go below.

"We will look after the craft in the meantime, my boy," he said. "There
is nothing to fear, though it is possible that one of these seas may
break on board, and if you are not on the look-out, may carry you away."

A flash of lightning which now burst forth from a dark cloud,
accompanied by a heavy squall, causing the cutter to heel over until her
lee bulwarks were almost under water, revealed Dick's terrified
countenance. As may be supposed, he clung on the harder to the
companion hatch; and papa had to repeat his advice and help him down the
ladder.

"You'd better go too, Harry," he said. "I can't answer for a sea not
coming on board; and it might tear even you