, a white line of
foam was seen in the distance; and then, with a roar and a crash,
the hurricane was upon them. The vessel reeled over so far under
the blow that, for a time, all on board thought that she would
capsize. The two sailors at the helm, however, held on sturdily;
and at last her head drifted off on the wind, and she flew along
before its force.

The sea rose as if by magic. Where, for weeks, scarcely a ripple
had ruffled the surface of the water; now great waves, with crested
tops, tore along. The air was full of blinding foam, swept from the
tops of the waves; and it was difficult for those on board even to
breathe, when facing the force of the wind.

"This is tremendous," Ned shouted in Gerald's ears, "and as there
seem to be islands all over these seas, if we go on at the rate we
are doing now, methinks that it will not be long before we land on
one or another. We are, as I reckon, near Hispaniola, but there is
no saying which way we may drift; for these storms are almost
always changeable, and while we are running south at present, an
hour hence we may be going in the opposite direction."

For twenty-four hours the storm continued, with unabated fury. At
times it seemed impossible that the vessel could live, so
tremendous were the seas which struck and buffeted her. However,
being light in the water, and buoyant, she floated over it. During
the next night the wind sensibly abated, and although still blowing
with tremendous force, there was evidence, to the accustomed eyes
of the sailors, that the storm was well-nigh blowing itself out.
The sea, too, sensibly went down, although still tremendous; and
all began to hope that they would weather the gale, when one of the
sailors, who had crawled forward to the bow, shouted:

"Breakers ahead!"

It was now, fortunately, morning; although the darkness had been so
intense, since the storm began, that the difference between night
and day was faint, indeed. Still it was better, if danger were to
be met with, that there should be as much light as possible.

All hands looked out over the bows and saw, before them, a steep
coast rising both to the right and left.

"It is all over with the ship," Gerald said to Ned, "and I do not
think that there is a chance, even for you. The surf on those rocks
is terrible."

"We must do our best," said Ned, "and trust in God. You keep close
to me, Gerald, and when you want aid I will assist you as far as I
can. You swim