We discovered ere long, however, that the "old man " had good and sufficient cause for his present course, as the reader will presently understand.

The main-sail, cross-jack, and mizzen topsail were hastily furled; and then came the order "to let go the fore-main and top-sail halyards-clew the yards down-haul out the reef tackles -jump aloft and close reef the topsails."

By the time these orders had been obeyed it was nearly sun-set; but still no signs of rough weather were to be seen, with the exception of a few small, dark clouds which were beginning to show themselves along the weather horizon. The top-sails having been mastheaded, the spanker was close reefed, after which, two of the best men were sent to the wheel, while others were stationed at the halyards of the fore and main top-sails, fore topmast stay-sails and spanker; these being the only sails which now remained upon the ship.

And now, the appearance of the sky was, indeed, portentous. The clouds to windward had rapidly risen and increased, while the rays of the setting sun cast a lurid glare upon the sea, which already began to be troubled, as

by some unseen influence. The wind had been gradually increasing for some time; but we had scarcely completed the task of making all snug alow and aloft, when it suddenly lulled, and an ominous calm succeeded, while the sails hung idly from the yards, unstirred by the faintest breath.

It was evident that rough weather was soon to be expected; and the men collected along the weather rail casting many an anxious glance toward the dense black clouds to windward. We were not destined, however, to remain long in suspense; for soon a long line of foam was visible, broad upon the weather beam, advancing rapidly toward the ship, and thus indicating the quarter whence the squall was about to strike us.

The order was now given to "stand by the braces," while the captain scized his speaking trumpet and stationed himself by the mizzen rigging, holding by the shrouds for support. The sails still hung motionless from the yards, and the ship lay like a log upon the waters, but the tempest was rapidly approaching, with the low moaning sound which so frequently precedes a storm at sea.

Suddenly, and with a roar like thunder, it

burst upon us, burying the ship to her scuppers in the foaming sea, and drenching us with the spray, which flew above the main yard and descended in torrents upon the deck.

"Heave up the wheel- square the yards! shouted the captain, through his trumpet, as the squall broke upon us; and in obedience to thesc commands the wheel was hove hard up, while the men braced round the yards in a twinkling, thus getting the ship directly before the wind.

The top-sail halyards were then let go, and the yard clewed down; for the force of the gale was so great, that the captain was in fear of losing his masts. In this condition the ship drove furiously on before the gale, for several hours, while the crew did nothing but hold on as best they might, to save themselves from being washed overboard by the waves, which, ever and anon, burst over the forecastle and swept fore and aft the decks.

While scudding in this manner almost under bare poles, we could not but reflect upon the fate which would inevitably have been ours, had this howling tempest found us under full sail and unprepared for its coming.

My nautical reader will not need to be in

CHAPTER IV.

THE ESCAPE.

Fair weather again-A leak-In port for repairs-Arrival at the whaling grounds-A successful season-Maltreatment-Encampment on the coast-The escape-Two nights iu the wilds-Joining the natives.

By daybreak, on the morning following the storm, the wind had greatly abated, and the clouds had began to break away and disappear. During the morning watch, the reefs were shaken out of the topsails, and at eight bells the other watch were turned out to assist in making sail. An hour later, we were again heading our course, under full sail, for the Okotsk sea.

No farther incident of importance occurred for several days; and every thing on board the Condor went on as usual, until nearly a week after the storm, when it was suddenly discovered, upon sounding the well one evening, that the ship had five feet of water in the hold!

She had been pumped dry on the preceding