eeled, the waters rushing in on one side, and seeming about to
overwhelm her.

"Hold on for your lives!" shouted the captain. "Put up the helm! ease
away the after sheets!"

Slowly the vessel came round, and ran before the blast. Before she had
been struggling with the seas, but now she fled before them, though even
then they hissed and bubbled up on either side, as if eager to hold her
in their grasp. On, on she flew, faster and faster. Once more the
shores of England appeared in sight. Anxiously the captain and his mate
looked out to try and distinguish the landmarks, that they might steer
the vessel so as to arrive at the entrance of the port of Harwich. The
shades of evening were, however, coming on, a mist hung over the land,
so as to render objects scarcely discernible. The passengers had begun
to gather on deck; for, feeling the movement of the vessel more easy,
they believed that the storm had abated, and that they were again in
safety. Various were their exclamations when they found the sea raging
as furiously as ever, and the dark clouds hanging over their heads.

Among those who had come on deck was Master Gresham. He held little
Richard by the hand. Too often had he crossed the Channel to be
surprised at what he saw, and yet perhaps he, more than any one else
besides the captain, knew the dangerous position of the vessel.

Calmly he consulted with him as to the best course to pursue. Another
person also stood calm and collected as Master Gresham: it was the
minister, Master Foxe. Ernst watched him with admiration, as even
amidst the roughest tossings of the ship a smile of confidence played
over his features. And yet as the vessel rose on the summit of a sea,
and then rushed down again into the hollow, the waters hissing and
foaming high above her bulwarks, it seemed indeed as if she would never
rise again, but must sink down, down, till she reached the depths of the
ocean. At this time many gave way, unable to refrain from showing their
fear by loud cries. Yet then the voice and look of Master Foxe would
reassure them. "Fear not, my friends," he exclaimed; "if ye are
Christ's, if ye have not only turned away from the idolatries of Rome,
but have given your hearts to Him, you are safe in His keeping. Dread
nothing therefore: He will, if He thinks fit, take you safely to land,
or if not, will call you to Himself, to be with Him where He is. Now is
the time to show your trust in the loving