other stout vessels at that time.
More than half the English crew had been lost, and only one of the
Frenchmen, so that their numbers were now more equal.

On flew the ship. The sea torn and thrown up by the force of the
hurricane, loud-roaring billows foamed and hissed on either side, while
darkness soon came on to add to the horrors of the scene.

Undaunted, Jack and his crew exerted themselves to clear away the wreck
of the masts and spars. The fearful working of the ship, however, made
it too probable that if not very strongly-built, she would spring a leak
and go down. Every instant the seas grew higher and higher, and it was
with difficulty that she could be kept before the wind. Her boats were
washed away by the seas which broke on board, and though often she was
in danger of being pooped by those which dashed against her stern, still
she floated on.

When morning at length dawned, the hurricane began to abate. The wind
ceased almost as rapidly as it had commenced; but the once stout ship,
now almost a wreck, rolled heavily in the still tumbling seas. As yet
little could be done to get her put to rights. She was still at a
considerable distance from Jamaica, and with his diminished crew, Jack
saw that it would take some time to rig jury-masts, and thus enable him
to shape a proper course for Port Royal. As soon, however, as the sea
went sufficiently down, and the ship became steadier, he ordered the
crew to commence the work. His own men willingly obeyed; but the
Frenchmen walked forward sullenly, declaring that there would be no use
in exerting themselves, and positively refusing to work. While they
were acting thus, Burridge brought him word that several had, by some
means or other, got hold of fire-arms and hangers, and were evidently
prepared for mischief.

"We must watch our opportunity, and try to disarm them," observed John
Deane. "Work they must, by some means or other, or else they must be
put in irons."

To do this, however, was no easy task, considering that there were as
many Frenchmen as Englishmen, and the former were evidently desperate
fellows. Hawke was fortunately able to speak French very well, and Jack
directed him therefore to address the mutineers, and ask them again
whether they would assist in putting the ship into order. A flat
refusal was the answer, and thus the whole day was occupied. The
following night was one of great anxiety, as it became necessary to keep
a co