Truck, "to my mind it would be as well to
get into port as soon as we can."

"We will see what the glass says," observed papa.

He sent me below to look. It had fallen greatly within the last
half-hour. As we looked westward we saw heavy clouds banking up in that
direction, and rapidly approaching. Papa, on this, ordered the gaff
topsail to be taken in, and the jib shifted. Presently afterwards we
had two reefs down in the mainsail, and a still smaller jib set. The
wind rapidly increased. We went below and examined the chart. The
nearest port was Aberystwyth.

"At all times there is sufficient water over the bar for small craft
like ours," observed papa. "We will run for it, and shall be in before
dark; but if not, there are two lights to guide us into the harbour."

On going on deck, we made a signal to the Dolphin, and Uncle Tom bore
down to speak to us. Papa told him what he proposed doing, and
immediately altering our course, we stood into the bay. Having a good
chart, we had no difficulty in making out the landmarking. In about an
hour we came in sight of the ruined walls of an ancient castle above the
harbour. A number of fishing-boats were making for the harbour, to find
shelter from the expected gale; and, following them, we ran over the
bar--it being high-water--and brought-up before the old-fashioned town.

The old town has not a very attractive appearance, as the streets are
narrow, and the houses covered with black slate, which give them a
sombre look, but there are also a number of large good-looking houses,
inhabited by visitors, who come here to bathe and enjoy the sea-breezes,
and we saw several churches and other public buildings; so that
Aberystwyth may be considered a place of some importance.

We were thankful to be in harbour, for we had scarcely dropped our
anchors before the gale broke with fearful violence. The sun had
already set, and the rain came down in torrents. We remained on board,
hoping to be able to see something of the old town and its ruins the
following morning, before sailing.

All night long we could hear the wind howling and whistling, and the sea
dashing against the rocks outside the harbour. When morning broke, the
storm was raging as fiercely as ever; but as the rain had ceased, as
soon as we had had breakfast we went on shore and walked down to the
beach.

We met several people, who looked eager and excited, and inquiring of
them the cause, they pointed