Consequently, the larboard watch was ordered to lay in his pole.

It grew quite dark, now, and the wind began to rise.

It wailed through the swaying branches of the trees, and swept our decks in fitful gusts.

Things were taking on an ugly look.

The captain shouted to the steersman on the forward log: "How's she landing ?" The answer came faint and hoarse from far forward: "Nor'-east-and-by-nor'-- east-by-east, half-east, sir." "Let her go off a point!" "Aye-aye, sir!" "What water have you got ?" "Shoal, sir.