hull, and save that she was now wallowing in the trough of the sea, she
was comparatively safe; she had sprung no leak, but her heavy freight
tested her powers fearfully, and the captain was fain to acknowledge
that there was nought to be done but abide the raging of the storm until
it was over. His attempt to rig a jury mast, on which to bend sail
enough to give the ship steerage way, was perfectly fruitless; she
rolled and pitched so fearfully that no effort of the kind could
succeed, but the crew were kept busy throwing over the heavier at tiles
of freight to case the ship.

As right came on with its intense darkness relieved only by now and then
a terrible flash of liquid fire, all on board expected each moment might
be their last. Prayers were said, and all tried to compose their minds
as far as possible to meet that death which seemed to be fast
approaching them, when suddenly the cry ran, fore and aft that the
captain was lost overboard! This added to the general gloom; and now a
cry was heard "there goes the Flying Dutchman," as was seen by several
on board the Indiaman, during the interval of the vivid lightning, a
large ship dash by them almost within cable's length, with a single
topsail close reefed running before the gale with the speed of the wind.
It did indeed look like a phantom craft. All was snug on board, not a
soul was in sight, everything battened down, save one dark form
apparently lashed to the wheel stanchions and steadily bent upon keeping
the ship before the storm; it was a sight that added to the terror of
those on board the Indiaman, and its effect was at once visible.

The ignorant and superstitious seamen, ever ready to argue evil from any
strange occurrence, now felt assured of their destruction, declaring
that the strange appearance of the phantom-ship was but a warning to
foretell the fate that was preparing for them. Thus actuated, all