apidly rising and falling. Tom's eyes ached. He was not sorry
when he was relieved. Still, neither he nor any one else felt inclined
to go below; no one could tell what might happen. The thick clouds hung
down like a dark canopy, apparently just above the masts' heads. The
thunder, which had been rumbling in the distance, now began to roar
loudly, while flashes of forked lightning came zig-zagging through the
air, threatening every instant to strike the ship. But, though they
played round on all sides, none touched her. The commander had ordered
the fires to be got up, so that the ship might be under steam, ready for
any emergency.

Hour after hour the typhoon continued to howl even more fiercely than at
first. Frequently a blast would strike the ship, making her tremble as
if some solid mass had been hurled against her. Then there would come a
lull for a few seconds, then another blast would suddenly strike her in
a way that made every plank shake throughout her frame. Even the most
hardy on board wished for day. The morning light brought no abatement
of the gale.

Onward went the ship, now plunging into a vast hollow, which threatened
to engulf her; now she rose rapidly to the top of another sea, while on
either side they appeared to be vying with each other, which could leap
the highest and accomplish her destruction.

The officers were gathered aft, the men in the waist, holding on firmly
to the stanchions, or anything to which they could secure themselves.
Each time that the ship plunged her head into the seas, the masts bent,
as if every moment they would go by the board. At length a lull came,
and the commander, having consulted with Green, fearing dangers ahead,
determined to bring the ship to, an operation attended by considerable
risk, as a sea striking her at the moment might sweep her deck. A
favourable opportunity was waited for. The crew stood ready to lower
the fore-topsail and hoist the main-topsail, which had been closely
reefed. Both tasks were accomplished; the officers were anxiously
watching the seas as the ship rode over them, but happily she was safely
rounded to, and now lay with her main-topsail to the mast, though
scarcely had she got into that position, than a fierce foam-crested sea,
roaring up, struck her bows and deluged her decks, but shaking herself
clear, like a thing of life, she sprang forward, while the water rushed
through the ports. The lull continued, and many hop