94 THE CALL OF THE SEA 



flaring flood with the sunlight, and, cast far along 

 the desolate heave of the sepulchral waves, incarna- 

 dines the multitudinous sea. 



John Riiskin. 



Lightning at Sea '<::^ <;:> ^;:> 



(From Mr. Midshipman Easy) 



A ND the Aurora flew before the gale, under 

 ■^^ her foresail and topsails close reefed. The 

 weather was now so thick that nothing could be 

 observed twenty yards from the vessels ; the 

 thunder peeled, and the lightning' darted in every 

 direction over the dark expanse. The watch was 

 called as soon as the sails were trimmed, and all 

 who could went below, wet, uncomfortable, and 

 disappointed. . . . 



At this moment a tremendous noise was heard 

 above, a shock was felt throughout the whole ship, 

 which trembled fore and aft as if it was about to 

 fall into pieces ; loud shrieks were followed by 

 plaintive cries, the lower deck was filled with 

 smoke, and the frigate was down on her beam- 

 ends. Without exchanging a word, the whole of 

 the occupants of the berth flew out, and were up 

 the hatchway, not knowing what to think, but con- 

 vinced that some dreadful accident had taken 

 place. 



On their gaining the deck, it was at once ex- 



