such storms are hideously frequent, and envelop Norfolk Island,
passing directly across the track of vessels coming from South America
to Sydney. It was one of these rotatory storms, an escaped tempest of
the tropics, which threatened the Lady Franklin.

The ominous calm which had brooded over the island during the day
had given place to a smart breeze from the north-east, and though the
schooner had been sheltered at her anchorage under the lee of the island
(the "harbour" looked nearly due south), when once fairly out to sea,
Blunt saw it would be impossible to put back in the teeth of the gale.
Haply, however, the full fury of the storm would not overtake them till
they had gained sea-room.

Rufus Dawes, exhausted with the excitement through which he had passed,
had slept for two or three hours, when he was awakened by the motion
of the vessel going on the other tack. He rose to his feet, and found
himself in complete darkness. Overhead was the noise of trampling feet,
and he could distinguish the hoarse tones of Blunt bellowing orders.
Astonished at the absence of the moonlight which had so lately silvered
the sea, he flung open the cabin window and looked out. As we have said,
the cabin allotted to North was one of the two stern cabins, and from it
the convict had a full view of the approaching storm.

The sight was one of wild grandeur. The huge, black cloud which hung in
the horizon had changed its shape. Instead of a curtain it was an arch.
Beneath this vast and magnificent portal shone a dull phosphoric
light. Across this livid space pale flashes of sheet-lightning passed
noiselessly. Behind it was a dull and threatening murmur, made up of the
grumbling of thunder, the falling of rain, and the roar of contending
wind and water. The lights of the prison-island had disappeared, so
rapid had been the progress of the schooner under the steady breeze, and
the ocean stretched around, black and desolate. Gazing upon this gloomy
expanse, Rufus Dawes observed a strange phenomenon--lightning appeared
to burst upwards from the sullen bosom of the sea. At intervals, the
darkly-rolling waves flashed fire, and streaks of flame shot upwards.
The wind increased in violence, and the arch of light was fringed
with rain. A dull, red glow hung around, like the reflection of a
conflagration. Suddenly, a tremendous peal of thunder, accompanied by
a terrific downfall of rain, rattled along the sky. The arch of light
disappeare