He sank back with a deep groan. As
if the very elements sympathised with this man's sufferings, a low moan
came sweeping over the sea.
"Hist, Ralph!" said Bill, opening his eyes; "there's a squall coming,
lad. Look alive, boy! Clew up the fore-sail. Drop the main-sail peak.
Them squalls come quick sometimes."
I had already started to my feet, and saw that a heavy squall was
indeed bearing down on us. It had hitherto escaped my notice, owing to
my being so much engrossed by our conversation. I instantly did as Bill
desired, for the schooner was lying motionless on the glassy sea. I
observed with some satisfaction that the squall was bearing down on the
larboard bow, so that it would strike the vessel in the position in
which she would be best able to stand the shock. Having done my best to
shorten sail, I returned aft, and took my stand at the helm.
"Now, boy," said Bill in a faint voice, "keep her close to the wind."
A few seconds afterwards he said, "Ralph, let me hear those two texts
again."
I repeated them.
"Are ye sure, lad, ye saw them in the Bible?"
"Quite sure," I replied.
Almost before the words had left my lips the wind burst upon us, and
the spray dashed over our decks. For a time the schooner stood it
bravely, and sprang forward against the rising sea like a war-horse.
Meanwhile clouds darkened the sky, and the sea began to rise in huge
billows. There was still too much sail on the schooner, and as the gale
increased, I feared that the masts would be torn out of her or carried
away, while the wind whistled and shrieked through the strained
rigging.
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