Thomas's voice
inquiring what was occurring. Aveline also asked timidly if anything
serious was the matter. I could only reply that a gale had commenced,
which I hoped our stout ship would without difficulty ride out. Even
during the short time I had been below a change for the worse had taken
place. The wind howled more furiously; the water in greater volumes
burst over the vessel, and she seemed to pitch and roll more desperately
than before. The captain advised me to go below, urging that the sea
might wash over the deck, and perchance carry me overboard; but I begged
to remain on deck, saying that I could hold on to the rigging as well as
the crew. Few words were spoken; only occasionally the captain issued
some orders to the helmsman or to the rest of the crew, which were
quickly obeyed. At length, several heavy seas struck the ship; one came
roaring up, and carried away part of her bulwarks, and a breach having
thus been made, those which broke on board committed yet further damage.
After a time, I heard the captain order the carpenter to sound the
well. He spoke a few ominous words, on his return, to the captain. The
ship had sprung a leak. Orders were given to man the pumps. And now
the crew began working away with might and main. However bad the leak,
they might hope to keep the water under till the ship could reach a
port. Thus the night passed away. I begged that I might take my part,
and laboured with the rest. I was thankful indeed to see the grey dawn
slowly break upon the world of waters. On every side the dark green
seas were rolling and leaping up, thickly crested with masses of foam,
which flew off their tops, and danced from sea to sea. No other vessel
was in sight. The dark clouds hung down, as it were, covering the ocean
with a thick canopy. The leak would allow of no rest to the crew. As
soon as one party of men grew tired, others took their places. Several
times I threw myself down on the deck to regain my strength.

I was thus lying down near the companion-hatch, when I saw a figure
standing close to me. It was Aveline. She gazed about her with a look
of astonishment and awe, but when her eyes fell on me, her countenance
exhibited an expression of consternation. "Oh! Ernst Verner, what has
happened? are you hurt?" she exclaimed.

I rose as she spoke, assuring her that I had suffered no harm, and at
the same time entreating her to return to the cabin, lest one of the
furi