ted event. They were not kept long in suspense.

"Here it comes," cried Croxton. "Our only chance is to run before it."
He pointed as he spoke astern, where a long line of snow-white foam was
seen rolling on over the leaden ocean, the sky above it being even
darker than before.

"Out oars, and pull for your lives, lads!" cried Devereux.

Scarcely had the boat gathered full away before the hurricane overtook
her, and she was surrounded by a seething mass of foam; every instant
the seas growing higher and higher, and rolling up with fierce roars, as
if to overwhelm her. It seemed impossible that an open boat could live
in such tumultuous waters, yet still she kept afloat, flying on before
the tempest. Devereux firmly grasped the helm. He knew that any
careless steering would cause the destruction of the boat and all in
her. The crew looked at each other. No wonder that many a cheek was
pale. Who could tell how soon they might be struggling helplessly amid
the foam, while their boat was sinking down below their feet? It was
impossible to say also where they might drive to.

On flew the boat. As the hurricane increased in strength and gained
greater and greater power over the water, the seas increased in height
and came rolling and tumbling on, foaming, hissing, and roaring--
threatening every instant to engulph her. So great was the force of the
wind, that the oars were almost blown out of the men's hands, their
efforts being expended solely in keeping the boat running before the
sea. Those not rowing were employed in baling, for, in spite of all
their efforts, the water washed in in such abundance as to require all
their exertions to heave it out again.

Paul, as he laboured away with the rest, thought a great deal of home
and the dear ones he had left there. He believed, and had good reason
for believing, that he should never see them again, for by what possible
means could he and his companions escape destruction, unless the
hurricane was suddenly to cease, and it had as yet not gained its
height. Even as it was, the boat could scarcely be kept afloat. Night,
too, would soon arrive, and then the difficulty of steering before the
sea would be greatly increased. Still the boat floated. Now a sea
higher than its predecessors came roaring on--the foam blown from its
summit half filled the boat. With difficulty she could be freed of
water before another came following with a still more threatening
aspe