CHAPTER XI.
THE TYPHOON.

EFORE nightfall the scene had changed very
decidedly.

The calm was succeeded by a dismal downpour of
rain which brought with it only so much wind as would
enable the brig to keep steerage way on and ceased
entirely for half an hour at the close of the day when
the appearance of the sun attracted the attention of
every one.

It hung in the green clouds like a ball of fire, pre-
senting a most singular and awesome appearance.

The waves increased in violence until they were run-
ning mountains high, and Mr. Bean said to the young
captain, as the latter came out of the cabin after a hurried
examination of the barometer :

«That waterspout was the sign of something worse
to come, sir.”

“JT can’t say whether it was a sign or not, but we
are surely going to get all we need in the way of weather
for a while,” Ben replied, looking very serious. “The
barometer is falling steadily, and I never saw the clouds
green but once before; that was when we laid in the

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