"Because they think a hurricane is coming, Jack. If there is, we have just got into harbour in time. I don't see any signs of it myself, except the wind dropping so suddenly; but I suppose the officers know best." I told him that the old gentleman had persuaded the captain to prepare for whatever was coming. "Ah! he knows, depend on't, Jack," said Peter. "I can't tell what it is, but there is something curious about that old man. He knows a great deal about these parts." Such was the opinion all forward had formed of the stranger. When the wind fell the sea became like a sheet of glass. A feather could not have moved over it. It became hotter and closer than ever, and we were glad to get anywhere out of the sun, stifling even as the heat was below. Even the old hands, who were inclined to laugh at the newcomers' complaints of the heat, confessed that they would rather have it cooler. The rest of the vessels in the harbour, with few exceptions, had not hitherto been prepared to meet any unusual tempest but lay as if their crews were totally regardless of any signs of a change. A few, however, had followed our example by striking their topmasts and getting out fresh anchors. Some of the passengers, meantime, were very anxious to go on shore; but the stranger urged them to remain on board, and assured them that before they could be half-way there the hurricane would be upon them. Two of them, however, were incredulous. The boat of a merchantman lying not far from us, was just then passing with her master in her. "Ah! I know Captain Williams well. If he is bound for Kingston, he will give us a passage!" exclaimed one of the gentlemen; and he hailed the boat. She came alongside, and refusing all warning, they, taking their portmanteaus, got into her. "We'll take any message for anyone," they sung out jokingly as they shoved off. "The storm you are afraid of will blow over, depend on it." "Fools are wise in their own conceit," muttered the old gentleman, as he turned on his heel. I remember, even now, the sound of their laughter as they pulled away up the harbour.