pion_.

Though the captain had quelled the mutiny, he lost the services of four
of the most active of the hands; but he hoped that reflection would
bring them to reason, and that, repenting of their folly, they would be
willing to return to their duty.

While these events had been occurring a dark bank of clouds had been
gathering to the southward; and though the ship still sailed with a fair
wind, it was evident that a change was about to take place. The
cloud-bank rose higher and higher in the sky.

"All hands shorten sail," cried the captain. The crew flew aloft to
obey the order and lay out on the yards, each man striving to get in the
sail as rapidly as possible. Sail after sail was taken in, but before
the work could be completed the gale was upon them--not a soft breeze,
such as they had been accustomed to, but a sharp cutting wind, with hail
and sleet, which struck their faces and hands with fearful force,
benumbing their bodies, dressed only in light summer clothing. It
seemed as if on a sudden the ship had gone out of one climate into
another.

"This is regular Cape Horn weather," observed the mate to Walter, who
stood shivering on deck. "You had better go below and get on your
winter clothing. It may be many a day before we are in summer again, if
the wind comes from the westward."

Walter hesitated, for he thought it manly to stand the cold; but his
father told him to do as the mate advised, so he hastened into the
cabin. He found Alice looking very much alarmed, not having been able
to make out all that had been occurring. She had seen the officers come
down and arm themselves, and the muskets loaded and handed out, and had
supposed that they were about to encounter an enemy. Walter quieted her
fears, by assuring her that though there had been danger it was all
over, and that they had now only to battle with a storm, such as all
good sailors are ready to encounter and overcome.

Walter was soon equipped and ready to go on deck again, and Alice wanted
to accompany him.

"Why, you will be frozen if you do, so pray don't think about it," he
answered. "I am sure father will wish you to remain in the cabin."

The gale increased, however, and the ship rolled, pitched, tossed, and
tumbled about, in a way Alice had never before experienced. She sat
holding on to the sofa trying to read, and wondering why neither her
father nor Walter again came below. "What could have occurred?" She
heard lou