cove on the coast until it blows over, although I would rather be caught in the wide ocean, than in these straits and currents."
Bella now looked at the cloud, which appeared like a black speck in the heavens, but which every minute increased in size. Without betraying any concern, she conducted Mrs. McLean to her cabin, which they had hardly gained, when the loud and clear voice of the Captain was heard calling out, "All hands ready, take in sail!"
The astonished seamen could hardly believe their ears, and stared in each other's faces, when the captain again called out:—"make all ready for a gale of wind."
This well-known command made them spring up the rigging, and it was well that they had exercised such rapidity, for no sooner was the vessel made snug, than a sudden blast struck her aloft and would have sent her on her beam ends, had not the few sails set given away.
The gale now set in with fearful violence, driving the ship under bare poles before it, until darkness closed around them, which rendered their situation more perilous. The experienced commander well knew that if the gale lasted long, they would be forced upon a lee shore before morning; he therefore endeavoured to bring her head up and lie to, but the force of the hurricane made this a difficult and hard task.
The night was passed by all on board in the utmost anxiety, which was greatly increased on the first appearance of daylight, for the wind and current had driven them far beyond the captain's anticipated distance, and in sight of the ninety-mile beach, which extended as far as the eye could reach on their lee and which offered no shelter to them. Each moment they approached nearer and nearer to their inevitable doom; the brave captain at length made known his intention to beach the ship, which was the only chance of saving themselves.
This terrible expedient, which would be attended by so many dangers, was determined on, and everything prepared accordingly. The captain took the wheel himself in order to run her with as much ease as possible towards her foaming berth, while each seaman stood with
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