CHAPTER X.
A NEW DECK.
The British vessel had indeed suffered much damage in the fearful storm.
The crashing and wrenching that had so overwhelmed poor Hal with terror, had been the destruction of mast and yard and bulwark.

Yet, though sorely dismantled, the good ship was able to keep bravely on her way.
She had been several days heading for the distant shores of England, alone on the wide ocean, which like a sulky child bore the marks of its late outburst of passion long after the sky above was all smiles and sunshine.
The appearance of three sails along the far horizon caught the captain's wary eye.

That they were Americans he did not doubt--privateers, against which singly he could have won an easy victory; but disabled as his vessel now was, he could not dare to cope with such a trio.
They gained rapidly upon him.

His resolution was taken at once.

He wrote a few lines hastily, sealed them, and summoned Blair to his side.