as
which had washed away the boats, had carried off more of their
unfortunate shipmates. Once more the ship went ahead, but it was before
the wind, and she was flying back towards that iron-bound coast of
Shetland, from which all on board had been so eager to escape. Every
effort was now made to bring the ship on a wind either to heave her to,
or to stand to the northward or southward, so that, should the gale
continue, she might weather one end or the other of the islands. After
a time it was decided to haul up on the port or larboard tack, as it was
believed that she had made but little southing, and was in consequence,
nearer the northern than the southern end of Shetland.

On ploughed the "Saint Cecilia" through the darkness, and many a heart
on board dreaded the sight which daylight would reveal to them.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

ROLF MORTON'S EXPEDITION--WATCHES THE CORVETTE--HILDA'S MARRIAGE
DISCUSSED--THE STORM--A SHIP SEEN DRIVING TOWARDS SHORE.

After Rolf Morton had left the "Saint Cecilia," and was steering for
Yell Sound, he recollected that a long time had passed since he had paid
a visit to an old friend, who had been Captain Scarsdale's first mate on
several voyages, but who had now retired from sea life, and settled at
Hillswick, in the southern part of that peculiarly shaped peninsula of
Shetland, called North Maven. There were two ways of getting there.
The most speedy was to haul up to the southward at once, and to steer
for Saint Magnus's Bay, so as to round the southern point of North
Maven, called Esha Ness; but then, when he wished to return to Whalsey,
he would have had to retrace his course along the whole western coast of
the peninsula before he could enter Yell Sound. Should the weather
continue fine, this would be of little consequence; but in bad weather
the voyage would be one of great danger, as standing out as do its lofty
cliffs, to brave the whole roll of the Western Ocean, on no part of the
coast does the sea break with more terrific fury. The other course was
to run up Yell Sound as he had intended; but, instead of passing through
it, to land on the southern shore, in one of the many small voes or
inlets, to be found there, so that a walk of a mile or so would enable
him to reach the house of his friend Angus Maitland. Before determining
what to do, he cast his eye seaward round the horizon. The low bank of
clouds he there observed, just rising, as it were, out of the water,
m