open sea, and
occasionally met with traders like themselves returning home, with whom,
of course, they were glad to fraternise for a time and exchange views.

Once only did they meet with anything like a piratical vessel, but as
that happened to be late in the evening, they managed, by plying the
oars vigorously, and under the shade of night, to escape a second
encounter with those robbers of the sea.

Thus, in course of time, the length of the great inland sea was
traversed, the southern coast of what is now known as France was
reached, and the captain's prophecy with regard to a prosperous voyage
was thus far fulfilled.

CHAPTER FOUR.

THE STORM AND WRECK.

It was near daybreak on the morning of a night of unclouded splendour
when the mate of the _Penelope_ aroused his chief with the information
that appearances to windward betokened a change of some sort in the
weather.

"If there is a change at all it must be for the worse," said Arkal,
raising himself on one elbow, rubbing his eyes, yawning, and then
casting a glance over the side where the rippling foam told that the
wind was increasing. Raising his eyes to the windward horizon, he threw
aside the sheepskin blanket that covered him and rose up quickly.

"There is indeed a change coming. Rouse the men and reduce the sail,
mate. Bestir you! The squalls are sudden here."

The orders were obeyed with promptitude. In a few minutes the sail was
reduced to its smallest size, and all loose articles about the vessel
were made fast.

"You expect a gale, captain?" asked Bladud, who was aroused by the noise
of the preparations.

"Ay--or something like one. When a cloud like that rises up on the
horizon there is usually something more than a puff coming. You had
better keep well under the lee of the bulwarks when it strikes us."

Bladud's nautical experience had already taught him what to expect and
how to act in the circumstance that threatened. Standing close to the
side of the ship, he laid hold of a stanchion and looked out to
windward, as most of the crew were by that time doing. Captain Arkal
himself took the helm.

The increasing daylight showed them that the bank of cloud was spreading
quickly over the sky towards the zenith, while a soft hissing sound told
of the approaching wind. Soon the blackness on the sea intensified, and
white gleams as of flashing light showed where the waves were torn into
foam by the rushing wind.

With a warning