England were rapidly fading from view, but the wind continued
to increase. The waves rose high on either side of the vessel, tipped
with foam, and threatening every moment to break down over her deck;
still she struggled on. The seamen made all secure, and prayed the
passengers to go below. Ernst, however, continued on deck, holding
firmly to the shrouds. There was another person near him who stood up,
securing himself in the same way: it was Master Foxe. Although the wind
howled in the rigging, the waves roared round on either side, and the
spray came dashing in thick showers over them; although the sky was
dark, and the waters around were troubled, the countenance of the
preacher was calm and undismayed. He gazed on the shores of England; it
was his native land, and he loved it well. Now he looked up at the
threatening sky, and along over the dark, foam-topped seas. He was
going forth an exile, perchance never to return, and yet he felt that
rather would he trust the threatening ocean than the tender mercies of
those who now had sway in England.

The captain came to him at length.

"You seem, good sir, a leading man among my passengers," he observed.
"I fear me much, that if we attempt to continue the voyage, my stout
ship may be overwhelmed, and we may together go with her to the bottom
of the ocean. I fear me, therefore, that we must return, and wait till
the gale has subsided."

"I would pray you to continue on the voyage," answered Master Foxe.
"Let us trust to Him who rules the waves and winds. He will not allow
us to perish."

"But we must trust to our own right judgment, sir," answered the
captain. "Now, as a seaman, I know that the peril of proceeding is very
fearful indeed, and therefore I opine that we should not tempt God by
exposing ourselves to it."

"You speak justly, captain," answered Master Foxe. "As a good seaman,
knowing the danger, you are right not to expose those under your charge
to it. Still, I for one would rather trust myself into the hands of
God, during such a gale as this, than run back and put ourselves into
the power of such persons as now rule our fair land of England."

"You speak too truly," answered the captain. "We will hold on yet a
little longer; but should the gale continue, we must, to save the vessel
and our lives, put back to shore; as an honest man I cannot act
otherwise."

Not many minutes had passed, when a furious blast struck the vessel.
Over she h