and
canister. Still the British seamen, not to be daunted, dashed on, and,
climbing up the sides and cutting their way through the nettings, in
another minute the schooner's deck was won. She proved to be a Spanish
privateer, a very fine new vessel. A light breeze at daybreak enabled
the frigate to come up with her. The prisoners were transferred to the
frigate, and the command of the prize given to old Hulks, the mate, who
had been Tommy Butt's tyrant; and Harry Treherne was sent as his second
in command, with orders to proceed to Plymouth.

Old Hulks had several failings: whenever spirits came in his way he
could not refrain from them. Harry had, therefore, the chief charge of
the schooner. It was the winter season, and as they approached the
chops of the Channel the weather became very bad. Old Hulks, however,
declared that he must be home by Christmas, and ordered Harry to crack
on all the sail the schooner could carry night and day. Harry had taken
his observations as long as the sun could be seen, but for some days the
sky had been obscured by clouds. He believed that they were not far
from the Land's End, and well over to the British coast. Old Hulks
insisted that they were too far to the southward, and ordered the
schooner to be headed more to the northward. Night was approaching. It
was Christmas Eve. The wind was strong, and a heavy snowstorm prevented
the possibility of their sighting the land.

"Never mind, Harry; we shall see it in the morning,--about Plymouth, I
take it, and I shall be at home in plenty of time for our Christmas
dinner, and you shall dine with me, as you won't be able to get to your
own place."

"I wish that I could think so. We are nearer the English coast than you
suppose," said Harry.

"Well, heave the schooner to at midnight," answered old Hulks. "I shall
go below--call me then; it's fearfully cold."

Harry was compelled to obey the orders of his superior. He, however,
kept as good a look-out as he possibly could, wishing anxiously for
midnight. The hour was approaching. The wind blew stronger and
stronger, and the snow came down, covering the deck, and making it
impossible to see beyond the bowsprit end. Suddenly there was a loud
crash--the vessel groaned from stem to stern, the foremast went by the
board. Loud cries arose: "We are on the rocks! We are on the rocks!
Heaven protect us!"--was echoed from mouth to mouth.

Story 9--Chapter 3.

A large mer