p, too,
considering the number of years she has been at sea, is in a good state,
and I do not think we need fear her springing a leak."

The master seemed to agree with Captain Falkner, and once more they
together returned on deck.

Denham, all the time he had been in the West Indies, had never
encountered such a hurricane. He gazed with admiration, allied with
awe, on the vast seas which now rose up on every side around them. The
stout frigate was tossed about as if she had been a cockle-shell, yet on
she flew unharmed, now sinking into the deep trough of the sea, now
rising to the summit of a mountainous billow.

"I wish Fitz Barry had been able to come on deck; he was saying the
other day how he should like to witness a real hurricane," he observed
to one of his messmates.

"Oh, Fitz Barry fancies a great many things; but I wonder whether he
would like the reality of this," was the answer.

"He has as brave and true a heart as ever lived," answered Denham
warmly. "Depend upon it, there is more in him than some of you
suppose."

"Considering that he is a lord he is all very well," answered Denham's
messmate. "In my opinion he has been over-petted and spoiled."

The frigate flew onward on her course. Provided none of her rigging
gave way, and no leak was sprung, it seemed probable she would escape
without any misfortune. But everything at the present moment appeared
to depend upon the rigging and the seaworthiness of her hull. Still the
captain and his officers often looked anxiously around. The fury of the
hurricane was evidently increasing; it had not yet got to its height.
The fore-topsail had hitherto stood, but as it tugged and tugged away it
seemed as if it would fly from the bolt-ropes. The first lieutenant
anxiously watched it. Should it be carried away it was scarcely
possible that another could be set, and though the ship might still scud
under bare poles, there was a great risk of her broaching to, and if so,
the seas breaking over her sides might disable her completely. Suddenly
there was a loud clap like that of thunder, and what looked for the
moment like a white cloud was seen carried away before the blast. It
was the fore-topsail which had been blown from the bolt-ropes. The few
shreds that remained were quickly wrapped round and round the yard,
whence it would be no easy matter to cut them. Still the ship went on
under bare poles. At length night approached, and as darkness came