as but a short distance from the shore when the wind
entirely subsided, and the long rollers were as smooth as glass. The
lightning glared with fearful intensity, and the thunder boomed like the
convulsions of an earthquake. By this time Rosabel, who had before
enjoyed the sublimity of the coming storm, now began to realize its
terrors, and to watch the handsome boatman with the deepest anxiety.
The sails flapped idly in the motionless air, and Dipper Bay was still
half a mile distant.

"Don't be alarmed, Miss Hamilton," said Leopold, as he threw off his
coat and vest, dropped his suspenders from his shoulders, and rolled up
his shirt sleeves above the elbows. "If the squall will keep off only a
few moments, we shall be in a safe place."

The skipper evidently "meant business;" and, shipping the long oars, he
worked with a zeal which seemed to promise happy results, and Rosabel
began to feel a little reassured. But the sloop was too large and too
broad on the beam to be easily rowed, and her progress was necessarily
very slow.

"Can't I help you, Leopold?" asked the maiden, when she saw what a
tremendous effort the boatman was making.

"You may take the tiller and steer for Dip Point, if you please,"
replied Leopold, knowing that his beautiful passenger would be better
satisfied if she could feel that she was doing something.

Leopold plied his oars with all the vigor of a manly frame, intent upon
reaching the little bay, where the high rocks would shelter his craft
from the fury of the storm. Then a breeze of wind came and he resumed
his place at the tiller. He had almost reached the haven when he saw
coming down over the waters a most terrific squall. Before he could haul
down his mainsail, the tempest struck the Rosabel. He placed his fair
charge in the bottom of the boat, which the savage wind was driving
towards the dangerous rocks. Before he could do anything to secure the
sail, the main-sheet parted at the boom. He cast off the halyards; but
the sail was jammed, and would not come down.

The Rosabel was almost upon the rocks. Seizing an oar, Leopold,
satisfied that he could do nothing to save the boat, worked her away
from the rocks, so that she would strike upon the narrow beach he had
just left. The fierce squall was hurling her with mad speed upon the
shore. By the most tremendous exertion, and at the imminent peril of his
life, he succeeded in guiding her to the beach, upon which she struck
with prodig