he was concluding the story of
his adventure, the little sailor-boy put his arm around Manuel's
waist, and, laying his head on his breast, fondled about him with an
affectionate attachment. The little fellow had been a shipmate with
Manuel on several voyages, and, through the kindness he had received
at his hands, naturally formed an ardent attachment to him. Taking
advantage of the good treatment, he knew how to direct his attention
to the steward whenever he wanted a snack from the cabin-locker of that
which was not allowed in the forecastle. After holding him for a minute,
encircling his arm around the little fellow's shoulder, he arose,
and saying, "I know what you want, Tommy," proceeded to the cabin and
brought him several little eatables that had been left at the captain's
table.

The wind now began to veer and increase, her sails kept filling aback;
and as often as the man at the helm kept her off, the wind would baffle
him, until finding it would be necessary to go on the other tack, or
make some change of course, he called the Captain. The moment the latter
put his foot upon deck, he found his previous predictions were about to
be verified. The rustling noise of the gulf, mingling its solemn sounds
with the petrel-like music of that foreboding wind that "whistles
through the shrouds," awakened the more superstitious sensations of a
sailor's heart. The clouds had gathered their sombre folds into potent
conclaves, while the sparkling brine in her wake, seemed like a fiery
stream, rolling its troubled foam upon the dark waters.

"Brace the yards up sharp-hard a-starboard!--and trim aft the sheets,"
ordered the Captain, who had previously given the order, "All hands on
deck!"

The order was scarcely executed, before the noise of the approaching
gale was heard in the distance. All hands were ordered to shorten sail
as quickly as possible; but before they could get aloft, it came upon
them with such fury from E.N.E. as to carry away the foretop-mast and
topgallant-mast, together with its sails, and the main-topgallant-mast
with the sail. The foretop-mast, in going by the board, carried away the
flying-jib-boom and flying-jibs. Thus the ill-fated Janson was doomed to
another struggle for her floating existence. The sea began to rise and
break in fearful power; the leak had already increased so, that two
men were continually kept working the pumps. The crew, with commendable
alacrity, cut away the wreck, which had