n.

The end of another day was approaching, and the weather, hitherto calm
and fine, gave indications of a change.

"Provided we get a good stiff breeze from the eastward, I shall be
thankful," said the mate.

"We shall the sooner reach shore or fall in with a ship; and although
our raft will stand a good deal of sea, I would rather be in a good
whale-boat under such circumstances," said Walter.

"So would I, lad; but we must be contented with what we have got.
That's my opinion, and it's about the best a man can have. Now, Walter,
I want you to take the helm," said the mate. "I expect to have a pretty
long watch at night, and a few winks of sleep will enable me to stand
it. Call me if it comes on to blow harder than at present--as I expect
it will--or if you see anything which you cannot quite make out."

Walter quickly went to the helm, for the food he had taken had greatly
restored his strength, and enabled him to stand up firmly. The mate lay
down, and before Walter could count thirty the old sailor was fast
asleep.

Walter steered on. Although clouds were already gathering in the sky,
the wind continued moderate, and he hoped that the mate would be able to
take a longer spell of sleep than he had expected to do.

The sun went down with a fiery red appearance, and scarcely had it sank
beneath the horizon when the gloom of night came sweeping over the deep.
The wind shortly afterwards began to increase; but still, as the raft
did not tumble about much, Walter considered that he was right in not
calling the mate. Presently, however, a vivid flash of lightning darted
from the clouds, followed almost immediately by a crashing peal. Mr
Shobbrok started up. "Why, Walter," he said, "you should have called me
when the weather changed."

"The storm has only this instant burst on us," answered Walter. "I
wished you to have as much rest as possible. I do not feel myself
inclined to go to sleep."

"I suppose not, my lad," said the mate; "but I will take the helm, at
all events, and you can stand by the halliards. We must take a reef in
our sail, if it comes on to blow much harder."

The wind, however, did not greatly increase, and they stood on. The
lightning continued to flash and the thunder to roar, but the sea
remained calm. Frequently the whole heavens were lighted up altogether;
then only in one direction, and now in another. Walter, who had never
seen such vivid lightning or heard the thunder ro