A PERILOUS MOUNTAIN. 51

mountain of Barbary. Not relishing their position
—for they had the fear of the Saracens of Barbary
before their eyes—the mariners pressed on, and
during the night made all the sail they could, and
flattered themselves that they had run at least fifty
leagues. But what was their surprise when day
broke, to find that they were still off the mountain
which they fancied they must have left behind. Great,
moreover, was their alarm as they thought of the
pivatical natives; and, albeit they laboured hard all
that day and all that night to make sail, when the
sun rose next morning—it was Saturday—-the moun-
tain, from which they were so anxious to escape, was
still near at hand. All on board expressed their
alarm on discovering that the mariners deemed their
position perilous; and the Earl, on learning how
matters stood, appeared on deck, and summoned the
master of the ship.

‘In wonder’s name, skipper,’ said he, sternly, ‘ how
happens this?’

‘In truth, my lord earl,’ replied the skipper,
much perplexed, ‘I cannot tell how it happens; but
this I know, that we all run great risk of our lives.’

‘In what way?’

‘From the Saracens of Barbary, who are cruel and
savage, and who are aS likely as not to come down in
swarms and attack us.’

The idea of captivity and chains occurred to every
one who listened, and even the Earl changed coun-
tenance. At that moment, however, one a the chap-
lains stepped forward. He was a discreet churchman,
and his words were ever treated with high respect.