tides for many a long and to those on board somewhat monotonous days,
and the sun rose out of the sea clear and bright, and sunk again beneath
its surface in gorgeous splendor with every diurnal rotation, until at
length the ship touched at the Cape of Good Hope, where, having taken
fresh water and provisions on board, she cleared direct for Liverpool.
Every hour now seemed more especially to draw the ship nearer her port
of destination, and a fresh spirit was infused among passengers and
crew, in cabin and forecastle; but it was a long distance yet, and the
widow and her daughter found time for much study and reading, for which
they were amply supplied, and thus the time was lightened in its
progress and also well improved.

But the ocean is a treacherous element, and the fair weather which had
so long characterized their voyage, was to be varied now by fierce and
angry gales. It was the season of the year when they might expect this,
and the captain had kept a sharp lookout. It was the middle of a fine
afternoon that there was observed a singular phenomenon in the wind
which appeared to come from half a dozen points at the same moment. The
ship of course lost her steerage way, and the sea began most singularly
to get up from all points in heavy cross waves. It was evident that they
were either in the course of a whirlwind or close to its track, and
every now and then gusts came first larboard then starboard, and again
bows on and stern on, with a force that snapped the rigging like pipe
stems, and tore the canvass from the bolt ropes, notwithstanding the
prompt orders and nimble efforts of the seamen, before it could be
secured. Half an hour of this strange weather nearly stripped the ship
of her standing rigging, leaving her comparatively a helpless wreck upon
the waters, a mere log at the mercy of the wind and waves.

The worst had not yet come, however, for the ship was sound still in her