hip's sails; now
one passed on one side, now on the other; but none did any material
harm. Still, Captain Dinan gave no order to fire in return. Thus for
some time the ships continued to sail on, the pirate gradually drawing
nearer. At length she yawed and let fly her whole broadside. Several
shots struck the _Amity_, two poor fellows being killed, and a third
wounded. The faces of many of the passengers, on this grew pale, yet
they stood firmly at their quarters. And now, once more, the pirate
kept on her coarse. Still Captain Dinan would not fire.

"Christison," said the captain, "we have someone who knows better how to
fight for us than we do ourselves. See! if the pirate attempts that
manoeuvre again, he will pay dearly for it."

So eagerly, it seemed, were the pirates watching their expected prize,
that they had not observed the rapid approach of the dark cloud. Once
more the pirate yawed. At that instant a loud roar was heard, and the
hurricane broke over the two ships. The flashes of the guns were seen,
but none of the shots struck the _Amity_; all were buried in the ocean.
Over went the tall ship, her masts level with the ocean. The crew of
the _Amity_, at a signal from their captain, had lowered most of their
sails; and now away she flew, leaving the pirate ship apparently on the
point of sinking beneath the waves. They were seen leaping and roaring
round her; but even had those on board the _Amity_ desired to render
their fellow-creatures assistance, they would have had no power to do
so. The hurricane increased in fury, and often it seemed as if the
_Amity_ herself would go down. Tossed and buffeted by the seas, the
water poured in through many a leak. The pumps were manned, and all the
passengers were summoned to work them. Some, however, complained of
sickness, and retired to their berths. Among them was Jonas Ford.

"Nay, though our friend finds it against his conscience to fight, he
shall, at all events, labour at the pumps," exclaimed the captain,
ordering three of the seamen to fetch him up. "Will you go also, Master
Christison? Perchance you can persuade him more easily; but I can take
no refusal."

After searching for some time, Ford was found concealed in the hold,
into which he had crawled. The water, however, coming in, had somewhat
frightened him, and he was just creeping out of his concealment. Not
unwillingly, Wenlock brought him on deck, and assigned him a place at
one