oth hands to the belaying-pins when
the sea poured over the vessel, with a volume of water which for some
time swept them off their legs: they clung on firmly, and at last
recovered their feet.

"She started a timber or two with that blow, I rather think," said
Ready.

"I'm afraid so; the best vessel ever built could not stand such shocks
long," replied Captain Osborn; "and at present, with our weak crew, I do
not see that we can get more sail upon her."

All that night the ship flew in darkness before the gale. At daybreak
the wind abated, and the sea went down: the ship was, however, still
kept before the wind, for she had suffered too much to venture to put
her broadside to the sea. Preparations were now made for getting up
jury-masts; and the worn-out seamen were busily employed, under the
direction of Captain Osborn and his two mates, when Mr Seagrave and
William came upon deck.

William stared about him: he perceived, to his astonishment, that the
tall masts, with all their rigging and sails, had disappeared, and that
the whole deck was in a state of confusion and disorder.

"See, my child," said Mr Seagrave, "the wreck and devastation which are
here. See how the pride of man is humbled before the elements of the
great Jehovah."

"Ay, Master Willy," said old Ready, "look around you, as you well may.
Do you remember the verses in the Bible?--if not, I remember them well,
for I have often read them, and have often felt the truth of them: `They
that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters,
these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.'"

"But, father," said Willy, after a pause, "how shall we ever get to
Sydney without masts or sails?"

"Why, William," replied Ready, "we must do what we can: we sailors are
never much at a loss, and I dare say before night you will find us under
some sort of sail again. We have lost our great masts, so we must put
up jury-masts, as we call them; that is, little ones, and little sails
upon them; and, if it pleases God, we shall see Sydney yet. How is
Madam, sir?" continued Ready to Mr Seagrave. "Is she better?"

"I fear she is very weak and ill," replied Mr Seagrave; "nothing but
fine weather will do her any good. Do you think that it will be fine
now?"

"Why, sir, to tell you the truth, I fear we shall have more of it yet: I
have not given my thoughts to the captain, as I might be mistaken; but
still I think so--I've not been f