ed, and the tears came into her eyes; "this is a very
sad way of meeting, but still I hope God will protect us all, and I am
thankful to see you both."

Most of the ladies, who were all passengers, were eager to hear of the
boys' adventures. These they briefly gave. Some, however, were too
frightened by the sound of the hurricane, and the tossing and rolling of
the ship, to listen to them.

"Do you think there is any danger?" at last asked Mary of Harry.

"I hope not," said Harry, "but Captain Rymer knows more about it than I
do."

Captain Rymer, who at this moment entered the cabin, looked somewhat
anxious, though he endeavoured to speak in a cheerful voice, and began
to express his satisfaction at the escape of his young friends from the
numerous dangers to which they had been exposed. Night was now coming
on, and it was evident that the ship was in the midst of a regular West
Indian hurricane. The French officer was evidently a good seaman, and
did all that could be done under the circumstances for the safety of the
ship. The topgallant-masts were struck, and every sail was furled
except a closely reefed fore-topsail, with which the ship ran before the
gale. Night had now come on; the wind, as is generally the case during
a hurricane, shifted so much that it was difficult to ascertain in what
direction she was driving. Captain Rymer several times went on deck,
but had a not very satisfactory report to give on his return.

"As long as the ship does not spring a leak we have nothing to fear,
however," he observed.

Still the ship rolled and pitched so much that it seemed scarcely
possible that a structure of wood and iron could hold together. The
poor ladies had to sit on the deck of the cabin and hold on by the legs
of the table, while the lamp swung backwards and forwards in a way that
threatened every instant to cause its fracture. Harry and David, though
they had seen enough of storms, agreed to go up on deck and see what was
taking place. One glance satisfied them. The mountain seas, covered
with white foam, were rolling up on either side of the ship, and
threatened every instant to come down upon her deck. They gladly
descended again.

"I don't at all like the look of things, I confess," said David. "As
long, however, as Captain Rymer is satisfied that all is right, so
should we be."

CHAPTER TEN.

ON A REEF--FATE OF THE FRENCH CREW--THE ISLAND--THE SHIPWRECKED PEOPLE--
THE FRENCH LIE