nd came on deck. He looked round the horizon
on every side.

"Captain," said he, "I wish we were safe in port. There's something bad
coming."

"What is it, Billy?" asked Mr Merton.

"A hurricane!" was the answer.

The hurricane came. The spirit of the whirlwind rode triumphantly
through the air. Earth and ocean felt his power; trees were torn up by
the roots; houses were overthrown; the water rose in huge waves--
hissing, and foaming, and leaping madly around us. Our topmasts had
been struck; every stitch of canvas closely furled, and everything on
deck securely lashed. The fierce blast of the tempest struck the little
vessel; round and round she was helplessly whirled. Away we drove out
to sea, and we thought we were safe; but our hopes were to prove vain.
Once more we approached the shore with redoubled speed; the frowning
rocks threatened our instant destruction; we could do nothing for our
preservation. To anchor was utterly useless. We shook hands all round;
on, on we drove. A yellow sandy bay appeared between two dark rocks; a
huge sea carried us on; safely between the two rocks it bore us; up the
beach it rolled. The schooner drew but little water. High up the sea
carried us stem on. We rushed forward, and springing along the
bowsprit, leaped on to the sand, and before another sea could overtake
us we were safe out of its reach. We fell down on our knees and uttered
a prayer of thanksgiving for our preservation. In ten minutes not a
fragment of the schooner held together. We had truly reason to be
grateful.

"Another time wrecked," said I to Mr Merton.

"Yes, Will; but another time saved," was his answer.

We got safe to the village of Morant Bay, where we were very kindly
received, and the next day were forwarded over land to Kingston, there
to await the arrival of the _Montezuma_. She came into Port Royal
Harbour in about a week, not having felt the hurricane. As the agent
had a full cargo for her, she only remained a short time, and at length
I found myself on the way to the shores of old England.

"There is no fear now but what I shall get to Plymouth at last," I
thought to myself as I walked the deck in my watch the first wight after
we had got well clear of the land, and were standing out into the broad
Atlantic. Then I remembered my rash oath, and in spite of all Mr
Merton's reasonings, I could not help believing that its consequences
would still follow me. "Home! home! with a