ummer's breeze, but it was too evident
that all those they sought and the gay little craft they manned lay
engulfed beneath its treacherous bosom.

"There's one of us gone," said Jack, as he bent his head down over the
table of the berth to hide his face. "Poor Paddy!"

Murray said nothing, but his countenance was very sad.

CHAPTER FIVE.

ROASTING THE BULLY.

The midshipmen were aroused by the cry of "All hands shorten sail!" The
boatswain's whistle had not ceased sounding along the decks before Jack
and Murray were on their way aloft, the first to the fore, the other to
the maintop, where they were stationed. A heavy squall had struck the
frigate, and she was heeling over with her main-deck ports almost in the
water. Up they flew with the topmen to their respective stations, while
the officer of the watch was shouting through his speaking-trumpet.
"Let go topgallant-halyards. Clew up, haul down." Then came, "Let fly
topsail-halyards. Clew up. Round in the weather braces." Down came
the yards on the caps. The sails were now bulging out and shaking in
the wind. Out flew the active topmen to the yard-arms. Jack, as he had
often before done, ran out to get hold of the weather earing. He was
hauling away on it while the men hauled the reef over to him. He had
already taken two outer turns with it, when, as he leaned back, he felt
himself suddenly thrown from his hold. In vain he tried to clutch the
earing; it slipped through his fingers. Headlong he came down, striking
the leech of the sail. Mechanically he clutched at that. Probably it
broke his fall. In another moment he was among the foaming waters, with
the ship flying fast away from him. Murray had meantime been watching
to see which mast would have its sails first reefed, and as he looked
forward he saw Jack fall from aloft. He guessed that he must have
struck his head when falling, and that he would be senseless when he
reached the water. In a moment his jacket and shoes were off, and down
he slid like lightning by the topmast weather backstay, and, leaping
into the water, swam towards the spot where Jack had fallen. Captain
Lascelles had seen the accident. He was on the poop. Stepping back, he
himself let go the life-buoy, noting exactly the spot where the accident
had occurred. But not an order did he give. Perfectly cool, he stood
waiting till the sails were reefed. Murray meantime caught sight of
Jack, who lay senseless on th