fwell hesitated for a
moment, then muttering something about "might as well out with it," he
laid his hand upon the major's shoulder, and looking straight into his
eyes, with a strange expression of sympathy, said in his gravest
tones,--

"Major, it's just this: unless I'm clean lost, we must now be somewhere
near Sable Island. I'm expecting to hear the roar of its breakers any
minute, and once the _Francis_ gets amongst them, God help us all!
Sable Island makes sure work." And he turned away abruptly, as though
to hide his feelings.

Captain Reefwell's words sent a shudder straight and swift through
Major Maunsell's heart. The latter already knew of the bad reputation
of that strange island which scarcely lifts itself above the level of
the Atlantic, less than a hundred miles due east from Nova Scotia.
Stories that chilled the blood had from time to time floated up to
Halifax--stories of shipwreck following fast upon shipwreck, and no one
surviving to tell the tale.

But even more appalling than the fury of the storm that scourged the
lonely island were the deeds said to be done by monsters in human guise
who plied the wrecker's trade there, and, acting upon the principle
that dead men tell no tales, had made it their care to put out of the
way all whom even the cruel billows had spared.

With a heavy heart the major made his way back to the cabin, where he
found Eric, upon whose bright spirits the long and stormy voyage had
told heavily, looking very unhappy as he tried to amuse himself with a
book. The boy was worn out by the ceaseless pitching and tossing of
the vessel. He felt both home-sick and sea-sick, as indeed did many
another of the passengers, who with one accord were wishing themselves
safely upon land again. He looked up eagerly as the major entered.

"What does the captain say, major?" he asked, his big brown eyes open
their widest. "Will the storm soon be over, and are we near Halifax?"

Concealing his true feelings, the major replied with well-put-on
cheerfulness,--

"The captain says that if this fog would only lift, and let him find
out exactly where we are, Eric, he would be all right. There is
nothing to do but to wait, and hope for the best." And sitting down
beside Eric, he threw his arm about him in a tender, protecting way
that showed how strongly he felt.

So intense was the anxiety on board the _Francis_ that none of the
passengers thought of going to their berths or taking