CHAPTER IV.
THE STORM AND SHIPWRECK.
The wind Increased at night, until it blew a gale; And though 'twas not much to naval mind, Some landsmen would have looked a little pale, For sailors are, in fact, a different kind: At sunset they began to take in sail.
-- BYRON.
Nearly two centuries and a half have made wonderful changes in ocean travel.

The floating palaces of to-day which plough the deep on schedule time, regardless of storms, contrary winds and adverse tides, were unknown when John Stevens embarked for England in 1654.
The vessel in which he sailed was one of the best of the time.

It was large, well manned and officered, and few had any fears of risking a voyage in the stanch craft _Silverwing_; but John Stevens could no more allay his fears than control the storm.
His wife, who stood weeping on the strand, became a speck in the distance and then disappeared from his view.

The heart of the husband overflowed with bitterness, and he turned from the taffrail where he had been standing and walked forward to conceal his emotion.
All about him were gay groups of people, laughing and jesting.

They were mostly men and women who had come from England and were happy now that they were going home.