As it was she plunged heavily forward, quivering as if from a blow.

Then her bluff bows bore her up and, with a leap, she sprang forward and sped along before the gale.
"I have seen as sudden a squall among the Greek islands," Captain Reuben shouted in the mate's ear; "but never elsewhere.

I hope that this may prove as short as do the gales in that quarter." "I hope so," the mate replied, "for we know not how far the land may be distant." But though the captain knew it not, they had been caught in one of those furious gales that were, afterwards, the terror of the Spaniards; blowing for a week or ten days without intermission, and being the cause of the wreck of many a stout ship.

The sea got up rapidly, and the wind seemed to increase in fury as night fell, and for three days the ship ran before it.

The waist was frequently deluged with water, and it required six men at the helm to keep her straight before the wind.
The crew were worn out with fatigue and want of sleep, for running as they were in this unknown sea, none could say what might happen, or when land might be sighted ahead.