Once the first fury of the storm was past, and it settled down to a steady blow, Captain Spark knew how to handle his vessel.  Mr. Carr went below.  He found Mr. Tarbill in the main cabin, pacing to and fro and starting nervously at every unexpected lurch of the ship.

“Is it blowing?  Is the ship going up or down?” asked the nervous passenger.

“Is what blowing?”

“The Jilla-Jilly wind!”

“The Jilla-Jilly wind?” repeated the mate in wonder, thinking Mr. Tarbill might be out of his head.

“Yes, Bob told me about it.  It blows up and down and is liable to take one up Into the clouds or down into the ocean.”

“What nonsense!  Look here, Mr. Tarbill, that was one of Bob’s jokes.  I’ll scold him for this.”

Yet, secretly, the mate was not sorry that Bob’s trick had been effective in getting the frightened man off the deck.

“Then there isn’t any such wind?”

“Of course not.  Don’t be frightened.”

“Is the ship in any danger?”

“Well, to be honest, I can’t say that she is not.  There is always danger in a storm such as this is, particularly near Cape Horn.  But we’re doing our best.”

“Oh!  I knew something was going to happen!”

“What’s going to happen?” asked the mate.  “You must not be so nervous.”

“Oh!  I wish I had never come on this dreadful voyage!”

Mr. Carr wished the same on behalf of the nervous man, but he said nothing.  The mate soon went back on deck, where he found plenty to do, as one of the storm sails had blown off the bolt ropes and another canvas had to be bent on.  Captain Spark had sent Bob below, as it was risky for any one but an experienced sailor to move about the constantly sloping deck.

That night was one of terror.  First the storm seemed to abate, and then it began again with redoubled violence.  Once the Eagle was almost on her beam ends, but skilful handling brought her once more up into the teeth of the wind and she rode the waves lightly, like the gallant craft she was.

The nervousness of Mr. Tarbill increased.  He would not stay alone in his cabin, and finally begged for Bob to keep him company.  Bob was a little diffident about going in, after the trick he had played, but the nervous passenger seemed to forget all about that.  The two sat up and talked instead of going to their berths, for sleep was out of the question amid the howling of the gale.

It was nearly morning when Captain Spark, wearing an anxious look, came into the cabin.

“Has the ship foundered?  Has it sprung a leak?” asked Mr. Tarbill, for he saw that something was troubling the commander.

“No, we are safe yet,” replied Mr. Spark gravely.  “But I think you had better put on life-preservers.”

“Why?” asked Bob, beginning to feel a nameless fear.

“We are approaching a dangerous reef.  If this wind holds we can barely wear off enough to pass it.  If we strike it that will be the last of the Eagle.  We are going to do our best to wear the ship off, but we may not succeed.  It is best to be prepared.”