ssel. The
water poured into the pilot-house so that we could not keep the windows
open. I sent Buck to the hurricane-deck, with directions to lash
himself to the foremast, and keep under the shelter of the dome of the
pilot-house. When I had done this, and heard Buck on the deck over me,
I felt that I had met the last and most imminent danger of the hour.

Though the steamer was still laboring heavily against the tremendous
head seas, she appeared to be holding her position in safety. I gave
the helm to Washburn and Ben Bowman, for it required two to move the
wheel promptly in that violent sea, and went to pay a visit to the
cabin, for I supposed the passengers were enduring torments of suspense
and terror.

On the way I looked into my state-room. The captain of the wrecked bark
appeared to be still asleep, and I did not disturb him. Following one
of the life-lines we always bent on in a gale, I reached the after
companion-way. Like everything in the shape of an opening on deck, it
was securely fastened. But I had a key, and descended the cabin-stairs,
locking the door behind me. Most of the passengers were still up. Some
had retired to their berths, though probably not to sleep.

My father and Mr. Tiffany were playing chess, and did not seem to be at
all disturbed by the war of the elements. Colonel Shepard was holding
his wife upon a sofa, and Owen and Gus were skylarking in the
after-part of the cabin.

"Isn't it terrible, Captain Alick?" asked Mrs. Shepard, in trembling
tones.

"I must say it was about as bad as anything I ever was out in, though
we had it about as bad once on Lake Superior," I replied, as cheerfully
as the occasion required.

"Do you think there is any danger?"

"I don't think there is just now," I answered. "The steamer is working
very well at present, much better than she was an hour ago."

"I thought the water would break through upon us at one time," added
the nervous lady.

"I was afraid it would. We had our foresail blown out of the
bolt-ropes, and she made bad work of it after that. But we have laid
her to now, and she is behaving as well as any vessel of this size can
in such a sea."

"When do you suppose it will be over?" asked the lady, anxiously.

"It is a south-east gale, or rather hurricane, and probably it will not
last long. I shall look for better weather by sunrise, if not before,"
I replied, as I left the cabin.

On my way back to the pilot-house I stopped in at th