punctually obeyed. The drum then
beat to quarters earlier than usual; the guns were doubly secured; the
dead-lights shipped abaft; the number of inches of water in the well
made known by the carpenter; the sobriety of the men ascertained by the
officers stationed at their respective guns; and everything that was
ordered to be executed, or to be held in readiness, in the several
departments, reported to the captain.

"Now, Mr Hardy, we'll make her all snug for the night. Furl the fore
and mizen-topsail, and close-reef the main--that, with the foresail,
fore-staysail, and trysail, will be enough for her."

"Had we not better reef the foresail, sir?" said Pearce. "I suspect we
shall have to do it before twelve o'clock, if we do not now."

"Very right, Mr Pearce--we will do so. Is the main-trysail bent?"

"All bent, sir, and the sheet aft."

"Then beat a retreat, and turn the hands up--shorten sail."

This duty was performed, and the hammocks piped down as the last
glimmering of daylight disappeared.

The gale increased rapidly during the first watch. Large drops of rain
mingled with the spray, distant thunder rolled to windward, and
occasional gleams of lightning pierced through the intense darkness of
the night. The officers and men of the watches below, with sealed eyes
and thoughtless hearts, were in their hammocks, trusting to those on
deck for security. But the night was terrific, and the captain,
first-lieutenant, and master, from the responsibility of their
situations, continued on deck, as did many of the officers termed
idlers, such as the surgeon and purser, who, although their presence was
not required, felt no inclination to sleep. By four o'clock in the
morning the gale was at its height. The lightning darted through the
sky in every direction, and the thunder-claps for the time overpowered
the noise of the wind as it roared through the shrouds. The sea,
striking on the fore-channels, was thrown aft with violence over the
quarter-deck and waist of the ship, as she laboured through the agitated
sea.

"If this lasts much longer we must take the foresail off of her, and
give her the main-staysail," said Hardy to the master.

"We must, indeed," replied the captain, who was standing by them; "but
the day is breaking. Let us wait a little--ease her, quarter-master."

"Ease her it is, sir."

At daylight, the gale having rather increased than shown any symptoms of
abating, the captain was givi