squared and all the bolts made fast, the guns doubly lashed and, in fact, everything possible was done to make the ship snug.

At dawn of day the hurricane was roaring, and the sea so rough it seemed as if the vessel must founder. The birds now began to find the uproar in the elements too much for them; for numbers, both sea and land kinds, came on board the struggling, groaning ship. When they dropped upon the deck, exhausted from their efforts to fly against the wind, they did not attempt to stir until picked up, and when let go they would not leave the ship, but endeavored to hide themselves from the wind. "It blows a hurricane, Cossel," said Ribault.

"It does indeed, monsieur."

"I don't remember ever seeing it blow so hard before. We must wear ship a little as the wind has shifted, and we are drawing right down upon the

coast."

It was difficult to change the course of the vessel in such a storm; but, after considerable danger and the loss of one man, they succeeded, though the ship did not make as good weather on this as on the other tack; for the sea began to run across her, and she had not time to rise before another dashed against her.

All day long the tempest raged, and with the coming of night it seemed to increase.

He saw

Even Ribault was almost in despair. the easy victory snatched from his grasp by the fury of the hurricane, and now his fleet was scattered-where, he knew not. With his pale, stoical face turned toward the terrific blast, he stood in the extreme forward part of his ship, rising and sinking with the motion of the vessel. Could it be that fate had set the seal of doom against him? "Monsieur, the vessel is leaking," said Cossel. "Man the pumps!"

"The pumps are already at work."

Another ugly sea, and the water was gaining on them rapidly. They had broken one of the chains; but it was soon mended. A sailor was sent to report how deep the water was in the hold.

"It still gains on us," he answered on returning. "There is back water from the leeward half-way up the quarter-deck, the ship is on her beam ends, and is not attempting to right again, so the men cannot stand at the pumps.'

Some one

The vessel evidently was doomed. suggested cutting away the masts as the only possible means of saving the craft; but at this moment a violent sea broke right on board, carrying away everything on deck and filling the hold with water. The main and mizzen masts went, and the ship righted; but it was the last struggle; she was sinking. As soon as Ribault could shake his

head clear he saw the gallant Cossel still on deck and Trenchant at the helm, which he had never deserted, and he said:

"Noble fellows, it is all in vain! we are gonefoundered at sea!"

"Yes, monsieur, farewell, and may the Lord have mercy on our souls."

Ribault then turned to look about the ship and saw that she was struggling to get rid of some of the water; but it was all in vain-she was almost full below. He began to pray:

"Almighty God! I thank Thee that now I am leaving this world which I have always considerd as only a passage to the better. I die with the full hope of Thy mercies, through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Saviour!"

Ribault regretted that he could swim, as it was only natural for a man to struggle for his life as long as he could, and the act of swimming would probably prolong his misery.

These sad reflections were put to an end by a sudden thump of the vessel and the sound of her keel grinding on the sand.

"Monsieur, the ship is ashore and we may save ourselves yet," cried Cossel.

The roar of the waves could be heard upon the sandy beach, and the phosphorescent, flashing spray, like flames leaping from hell, burst on their

startled view. By this time the quarter-deck was full of men flying up from below crying:

"Lord God, have mercy on us!"

Everybody was sensible of the fact that the ship was on shore, for every surging billow threatened her destruction. She was driven stern into the sand, the bow breaking the sea to a considerable extent, though it was washing clear over at every surge. Ribault, who was still cool, seeing their peril cried:

"Keep to the quarter-deck; when she goes to pieces it is your best chance."

Day dawned at last and the rising sun fell on a large group of dripping castaways gazing on the fragments of wreck strewn along the beach. They were Ribault and his brave seamen.

CHAPTER X.

SAINT AUGUSTINE.

MELENDEZ or Menendez (as the name is sometimes spelled) was a native of Avila in Spain, and at this period of our story was about forty-six

years of age. He had already risen to the highest rank in the Spanish navy and was a man of immense fortune. He commanded the vessel which in 1554 bore his king to England to marry Queen Mary; and in 1561, he commanded the great treasure fleet of galleons on their voyage from One of the vessels, containing his son and several relatives and friends, disappeared and was never heard from. Having delivered the fleet in Spain, he asked permission to go in search of the lost vessel and his son, but was refused. After repeated solicitations, however,

MELENDEZ.

Mexico to Spain.