nd requesting the chief mate to take charge
of the deck and superintend the conning of the ship, George went
forward, followed by the carpenter, and led the way aloft. Now that
they were scudding before it, the strength of the wind was no longer
felt to its full extent; it was still powerful enough, however, to make
the journey aloft full of peril, and the two adventurers were compelled
to make frequent pauses on their way, in order to avoid being blown out
of the rigging. At length, however, they reached the yard, and,
producing their knives, began to work their way outwards from the mast,
one toward each yard-arm, cutting the seizings as they came to them.
Their task was soon accomplished; for when half the seizings were cut,
the wind saved them all further trouble by carrying away the remainder;
the sail gave one terrific flap--which sprung the fore-yard--and then,
tearing out of its bolt-ropes, went soaring away ahead of them, like a
flake of cloud.

Thus relieved, the _Aurora's_ speed sensibly diminished and by the time
that George was once more down on deck, they were able, by watching
their opportunity, to sheer in under the stern of the ship which had
before lain upon their port-bow, and thus place the _Aurora_
comparatively out of harm's way.

They were only just in time. The ship ahead was overtaken, and, in
sheering into her new position, the _Aurora_ was compelled to shave
close past the stranger's stern. Glancing up at her as they shot past,
with a feeling of deep gratitude at their escape, George saw a little
crowd of passengers huddled together upon her poop, like frightened
sheep. They were all looking at the _Aurora_, evidently fully aware of
the danger from which they had so narrowly escaped; and among them
George suddenly recognised a face which he had more than half hoped he
would never see again--the face of his successful rival, as he believed
him to be, Lieutenant Walford.

George waved his hand in recognition, the salutation was half
reluctantly returned, and then the two craft separated; but not before
George had had time to read the name painted on her stern--the _Princess
Royal_, of London.

CHAPTER SIX.

THE MUTINY ON BOARD THE "PRINCESS ROYAL."

It now becomes necessary that we should for a short time forsake the
_Aurora_, and follow the fortunes of the _Princess Royal_.

At the moment of our making the acquaintance of this vessel a very
unsatisfactory state of affairs happ