s; and as it is generally accompanied by cyclones
or hurricanes, sailors have come to regard it as an omen of evil. It is
not always followed by evil consequences, however, and to believe that
it foretells death is as idle and foolish as superstitions of all kinds
always are."

CHAPTER IV.

A WRECK ON THE FLORIDA REEF.

After leaving Hatteras not another evidence of land was seen by the
passengers of the Nancy Bell for three days. At last one afternoon
"Captain Li" pointed out and called their attention to a slender shaft
rising apparently from the sea itself, far to the westward. He told
them that it was the light-house at Jupiter Inlet, well down on the
coast of Florida, and they regarded it with great interest, as giving
them their first glimpse of the land that was so soon to be their home.

The weather had by this time become very warm and instead of wearing
the thick clothing with which they had started, the Elmers found the
very thinnest of their last summer's things all that they could bear.

Mark had almost forgotten his sea-sickness, and spent much of his time
with Jan Jansen, who taught him to make knots and splices, to box the
compass and to steer. Both Mark and Ruth were tanned brown by the hot
sun, and Mr. Elmer said the warmth of the air had already made a new
man of him.

Before the light but steady trade-wind, that kept the air deliciously
cool, the Nancy Bell ran rapidly down the coast and along the great
Florida Reef, which, for two hundred miles, bounds that coast on the
south.

Captain Drew stood far out from the reef, being well aware of the
strong currents that set towards it from all directions, and which have
enticed many a good ship to her destruction. Others, however, were not
so wise as he, and at daylight one morning the watch on deck sang out,

"Wreck off the starboard bow!"

This brought all hands quickly on deck, and, sure enough, about five
miles from them they saw the wreck looming high out of the water, and
evidently stranded. As her masts, with their crossed yards, were still
standing, "Captain Li" said she must have struck very easily, and stood
a good chance of being saved if she could only be lightened before a
blow came that would roll a sea in on her.

"Are you going to her assistance?" asked Mr. Elmer.

"Certainly I am," answered the captain. "I consider that one of the
first duties of a sailor is to give aid to his fellows in distress.
Besides, if we succe