more all-pervading. On it came, carrying with it the
hoarse cadence of some vast surf flung ashore from the workings of a
distant storm, or the thunder of some mighty cataract tumbling over a
rocky precipice.

And now, as they looked, the white, phosphorescent glow grew brighter,
and then whiter, like snow; every minute it approached nearer, until at
last, full before them and beneath them, there rolled a giant wave,
extending across the bed of the river, crescent-shaped, with its convex
side advancing forwards, and its ends following after within short
distance from the shore. The great wave rolled on, one mass of
snow-white foam, behind which gleamed a broad line of phosphorescent
lustre from the agitated waters, which, in the gloom of night, had a
certain baleful radiance. As it passed on its path, the roar came up
more majestically from the foremost wave; and behind that came the roar
of other billows that followed in its wake. By daylight the scene
would have been grand and impressive; but now, amid the gloom, the
grandeur became indescribable. The force of those mighty waters seemed
indeed resistless, and it was with a feeling of relief that the boys
reflected that the schooner was out of the reach of its sweep. Its
passage was swift, and soon it had passed beyond them; and afar up the
river, long after it had passed from sight, they heard the distant
thunder of its mighty march.

By the time the wave had passed, the boys found themselves excessively
weary with their long wakefulness.

"Bart, my boy," said Bruce, "we must get some rest, or we won't be
worth anything to-morrow. What do you say? Shall we go back to Mrs.
Watson's?"

"It's too late--isn't it?"

"Well, it's pretty late, no doubt. I dare say it's half past two; but
that's all the more reason why we should go to bed."

"Well."

"What do you say? Do you think we had better disturb Mrs. Watson, or
not?"

"O, no; let's go into the barn, and lie down in the hay."

"Very well. Hay makes a capital bed. For my part, I could sleep on
stones."

"So could I."

"I'm determined to hope for the best about Tom," said Bruce, rising and
walking off, followed by Bart. "Mrs. Watson was right. There's no use
letting ourselves be downcast by a lot of croakers--is there?"

"No," said Bart.

The boys then walked on, and in a few minutes reached the ship-yard.

Here a man came up to them.

"We've been looking for you everywhere," said the man.