to ribbons, and it seemed as if the other sails
were about to share the same fate. The ship flew from billow to billow,
after recovering from the first rude shock, as if she were but a dark
cloud on the sea, and the spray flew high over her masts, drenching the
men on the topsail-yards while they laboured to reef the sails.

"We shall have to take down these t'gallant-masts, Mr Millons," said
the captain, as he stood by the weather-bulwarks holding on to a
belaying-pin to prevent his being washed away.

"Shall I give the order, sir?" inquired the first mate.

"You may," replied the captain.

Just as the mate turned to obey, a shriek was heard high above the
whistling of the fierce wind.

"Did you hear that?" said the captain anxiously.

"I did," replied the mate. "I fear--I trust--"

The remainder of the sentence was either suppressed, or the howling of
the wind prevented its being heard.

Just then a flash of lightning lit up the scene, and a terrific crash of
thunder seemed to rend the sky. The flash was momentary, but it served
to reveal the men on the yards distinctly. They had succeeded in
close-reefing the topsails, and were hurrying down the rigging.

The mate came close to the captain's side and said, "Did you see, sir,
the way them men on the mainyard were scramblin' down?"

The captain had not time to reply ere a shout, "Man overboard!" was
heard faintly in the midst of the storm, and in another instant some of
the men rushed aft with frantic haste, shouting that one of their number
had been blown off the yard into the sea.

"Down your helm," roared the captain; "stand-by to lower away the
boats."

The usual prompt "Ay, ay, sir," was given, but before the men could
reach their places a heavy sea struck the vessel amidships, poured
several tons of water on the decks, and washed all the loose gear
overboard.

"Let her away," cried the captain quickly.

The steersman obeyed; the ship fell off, and again bounded on her mad
course like a wild horse set free.

"It's of no use, sir," said the mate, as the captain leaped towards the
wheel, which the other had already gained; "no boat could live in that
sea for a moment. The poor fellow's gone by this time. He must be more
than half-a-mile astern already."

"I know it," returned the captain, in a deep sad voice. "Get these
masts down, Mr Millons, and see that everything is made fast. Who is
it, did you say?"

"The men can't tell, sir; one