she had got clear of Scilly. While she was still in the
chops of the Channel it fell a dead calm, and a thick fog came on.
There the _Stella_ lay, drifted slowly up by one tide and to the
westward again by the other. Night came on. The officers agreed that
they had never been in the Channel with such perfect darkness as hung
over the water. Lights were hoisted, and a look-out kept for any
steamers which might be coming up or down the Channel, although to get
out of their way was impossible.

Captain Murray and his friends felt far more anxiety than they would
have experienced had it been blowing a strong gale. The evening was
unusually chilly. Moisture dropped from the sails and rigging,
preventing the ladies from remaining on deck. Adair went below, as he
said, to amuse them; but Murray, Jack, and Desmond remained looking out,
ready to shout should they see a steamer approaching. Of sailing
vessels there was no fear, for they, as was the _Stella_, would be
becalmed.

"Oh, those horrible steam-kettles! I never before so heartily hated
them as I do now. If one of them was to come thundering along now,
without a bright look-out, she might be into us before our lights could
be seen, or our warning shouts heard!" exclaimed Adair.

"Yes, indeed," answered Murray. "I'm almost inclined to get the ladies
on deck and to have a boat lowered, in case a steamer should run into
us. We should have a better hope of saving their lives, for the sides
of a yacht are but ill able to withstand a blow from a steamer going at
even a moderate speed; and some of those steam-boat skippers, provided
they make a fast passage, care very little what damage they may do to
small craft in their way."

Murray, however, kept all fast. He felt ashamed of making preparations
for a catastrophe which might never occur. Hour after hour passed by,
while they paced the deck with their hands in their pockets, whistling
for a breeze. It was very trying, as they were in a hurry to get back.

"You had better go below, Saint Maur," said Murray; "there is no
necessity for us all to remain on deck."

"Thank you; but I would rather assist in keeping a look-out, while
either you or Captain Rogers turn in. I'll keep moving, though, for I
feel it rather cold;" and Desmond continued walking up and down at a
quick pace.

Captain Rogers at last said he would go below to see what the ladies
were about, and to advise them to turn in.

Scarcely had h