that indispensable confidence among his people so requisite to perfect
control. There was a firmness now expressed in the compressed lips, and
a sternness in the eye, that had not before been manifested, while there
was a breathing of authority in his smallest order.

In an instant more the scene was changed! With terrific violence the
vessel flew up in the wind with the rapidity of thought, and a report
like that of a score of cannons fired at the same moment, was heard
above the roar of the winds.

"What lubberly trick is this?" shouted the captain, fiercely, to the old
tar who held his station at the wheel, and on whose faithfulness
everything depended.

"The wheel rope has parted on the larboard side, your honor," was the
reply.

"That is no man's fault," said his commander. "Bear a hand here, Mr.
Faulkner, and bend on a fresh wheel rope. Be lively; sir, be lively!"

The sails had been blown from the bolt-ropes, in an instant of time, and
the vessel now lay wallowing in the sea. Now once more was seen the
power of discipline and the coolness of the young commander, whose word
was law in that floating community. Fifty voices were raised in shouts
above the storm, suggesting this expedient and that, but that agile
figure, which we have already described, sprang lightly into the mizzen
shrouds, and with a voice that was heard by every soul on board the "Sea
Witch," shouted sternly:

"Silence in the ship!"