existed on board her. Now she was manned with God-fearing and religious
people, and so her whole character was changed, and prayers and songs of
praise ascended daily from her decks.

The weather, however, was far from satisfactory. The stormy season had
set in, and rains and gales of wind might be expected. Mr Owen proved
himself a good and careful officer, and, assisted by Mr Manners, was
constantly on the watch for the dangers which might befall them. The
wind had hitherto been light and contrary, and the schooner had made but
little progress. The weather now again became threatening, and caused
considerably anxiety to the young officers. It was evident from the
look of the sky, and the sudden way in which the sea got up, that
another gale was coming on; not so violent, perhaps, as the former, but
still requiring every possible preparation to be made for it. The boats
and spars, and everything on deck, were doubly secured; the hatches and
skylights were fastened down; the topmasts were struck; the lighter
sails furled, and storm sails set; and in a short time the schooner was
in a state to encounter the expected gale. It came on more gradually
than the former one: at first in heavy squalls, and then more and more
violently. The sea got up at the same time, and the vessel heeled over
to the furious blast Mr Owen and Mr Manners consulted together what
course to steer: the schooner could just lie her proper course, and on
that course there were no dangers which could not be seen in time, and
avoided, as far as they knew. On the other hand, should the gale
increase still more, as there was every prospect of its doing, it would
be necessary to put her before the wind, as it would be dangerous, if
not indeed impossible, to keep her close-hauled as she then was. Should
she run for any distance before the gale, she would be carried into a
part of the ocean studded thickly with islets. Once among the
archipelago, it might be impossible to avoid being dashed on the
rock-bound shore of one of them. Here, then, was sufficient cause for
anxiety to the young officers. As long as possible, the schooner was
kept on a wind, plunging through the seas. Their only other resource
was to heave-to; but there was danger in that where neither spars nor
rigging could be trusted. The seas came breaking over her bows, and
sweeping her decks. Another huge billow, larger and more foam-covered
than any of its predecessors, was se