nd dropped, and the sails flapped loudly against the
masts. It was Mr Grey's watch; he had just relieved the third mate.
Casting his eye to the northward, he shouted--

"All hands on deck; shorten sail! Be smart, my lads, or we shall have
the masts whipped over the sides."

The crew who were on deck flew aloft; the watch below came tumbling up
and hastened to join the rest, some laying out on the fore and
main-topsail yards, while others handed the royals and topgallant sails.
Owen, with the other boys, lay out on the mizen-topsail yard.

"What's all this about?" exclaimed Mr Scoones, who had been in his
cabin. His face was flushed and manner excited. "Why don't you wait
until I order you to shorten sail?" he added, turning to the second
mate.

"Because there would not have been time to save the ship's masts and
spars," answered Mr Grey, in a firmer tone than he had hitherto
assumed.

"Shake out the reefs and make sail again," shouted the captain.

"Go on, and carry out the orders I gave you!" cried Mr Grey. "While I
remain second officer of this ship, I will not stand by and let her come
to harm if I can help it."

"Mutiny! mutiny!" shouted Mr Scoones; but the men, who saw as clearly
as the second mate the importance of shortening sail, continued their
work. Even the boys, although holding him in dread, instigated by Owen
and Nat, remained aloft, until they had handed the mizen-royal and
topgallant sail, and close reefed the topsail. Scoones, completely
beside himself, was hurrying off the deck, apparently for the purpose,
from the words he let drop, of getting his pistols, when a long thin
line of hissing foam was seen rushing across the ocean.

"Down, my lads, down, quick," cried the mate.

The boys rapidly descended from the mizen-yard. Then the voice of the
hurricane was heard, and a fierce wind struck the ship. In an instant
she heeled over, and the close reefed mizen-topsail was blown from the
bolt ropes. The helm being put up, she, however, righted, and away she
flew before the hissing and foaming sea, which now rose up on either
side as if eager to overwhelm her.

"We must furl the main-topsail," exclaimed Mr Grey, as soon as the
yards were squared.

Scarcely were the words uttered, than with a clap like thunder the sail
was blown away, and flying out in tatters was quickly whisked round and
round the yard. Whatever had been the intentions of the first mate, he
now returned perfectly so