oing overboard, more
dangerous in that position than if it had done so. The sudden blast
which had caused the destruction was only the first of the tempest.
Stronger and stronger it grew. It would be difficult truly to picture
the scene of tumult and confusion which the deck of the corvette
presented, all the time driving stern first at a fearful rate, now
lifted high up by the sea, now rushing downward into the watery gulf,
the opposite sea looking as if it would overwhelm her. The officers,
with loud shouts, were issuing orders in different parts of the ship;
the men, called off from their regular stations, rushing here and there,
not knowing which to obey, but still seeing clearly that each order
imperatively demanded to be instantly executed. In vain Don Hernan,
speaking-trumpet in hand, endeavoured to reduce the confusion into
order. At this juncture a flash of lightning revealed a tall figure,
with flowing white drapery, standing near the companion-hatch. He
shuddered with a superstitious feeling of dread. The next instant he
saw that it was his wife; he hurried up to her to entreat her to go
below. The darkness concealed the look of astonishment and dismay with
which she regarded the scene around her. In a moment Don Hernan was by
her side--

"Hilda, my beloved, this is no place for you. Oh, go below, I entreat
you, I command you. Any moment your life may be sacrificed."

"Why should I shun dangers, Hernan, to which you must be exposed?" she
exclaimed. "But what does this mean--what has happened?"

"A mere accident, to which all ships are liable," he answered. "There
is nothing to fear, if you will remain calmly in your cabin."

"But shrieks and cries for help reached my ears, and terrific blows,"
said Hilda. "Oh! do not deceive me, Hernan; surely some sad calamity
has occurred."

The captain saw that he could not deceive her, and not till he had
explained how matters really stood, could he induce her to return to her
cabin. Meantime Pedro Alvarez had succeeded in bracing round the head
yards and furling all the after sails. Slowly the ship answered her
helm and fell off; but as she did so, two seas in quick succession
struck her abeam, dashing across her deck, and carrying away the boats
stowed on the boom, and part of the lee bulwarks. Again shrieks for
help were heard; but the darkness prevented it being seen from whence
they came, though there was too much reason to fear that the same se