nveloped, as it were, in water; the spot on which we had landed was not
more than twelve yards in diameter, and from this spot we could not move
without the risk of being swept away by the storm. At the upper end of
the creek was a small hollow or cave in the rock, which sheltered us
from the fury of the winds and waves; and as the rock extended in a sort
of ledge over our heads, it prevented the spray from falling upon us.

"Why," said Peterkin, beginning to feel cheery again, "it seems to me
that we have got into a mermaid's cave, for there is nothing but water
all round us; and as for earth and sky, they are things of the past."

Peterkin's idea was not inappropriate, for what with the sea roaring in
white foam up to our very feet, and the spray flying in white sheets
continually over our heads, and the water dripping heavily from the
ledge above like a curtain in front of our cave, it did seem to us very
much more like being below than above water.

"Now, boys," cried Jack, "bestir yourselves, and let's make ourselves
comfortable.--Toss out our provisions, Peterkin; and here, Ralph, lend a
hand to haul up the boat. Look sharp!"

"Ay, ay, captain!" we cried as we hastened to obey, much cheered by the
hearty manner of our comrade.

Fortunately the cave, although not very deep, was quite dry, so that we
succeeded in making ourselves much more comfortable than could have been
expected. We landed our provisions, wrung the water out of our
garments, spread our sail below us for a carpet, and after having eaten
a hearty meal, began to feel quite cheerful. But as night drew on our
spirits sank again, for with the daylight all evidence of our security
vanished away. We could no longer see the firm rock on which we lay,
while we were stunned with the violence of the tempest that raged around
us. The night grew pitchy dark as it advanced, so that we could not see
our hands when we held them up before our eyes, and were obliged to feel
each other occasionally to make sure that we were safe, for the storm at
last became so terrible that it was difficult to make our voices
audible. A slight variation of the wind, as we supposed, caused a few
drops of spray ever and anon to blow into our faces; and the eddy of the
sea, in its mad boiling, washed up into our little creek until it
reached our feet and threatened to tear away our boat. In order to
prevent this latter calamity, we hauled the boat farther up and held the
ca