"You've a better nose than I have then," said Mr Marline with a laugh; but, he had hardly got out the words, when there came a terrific crash of thunder right overhead, sounding so fearfully near and grand and awful, that it seemed as if the roof of heaven had broken in! I jumped up at once from my seat and went towards the binnacle, where Jackson and Mr Marline were standing; for, although I wasn't actually afraid of the thunder, still one likes to be by the side of some one else when it peals out so dreadfully, the sense of companionship lessening the fear of danger, I suppose. "Hullo, Master Tom, not turned in yet?" cried Mr Marline, seeing me by the light from the compass and appearing to be very much surprised at my not having gone below to bed. "No, sir," I said. "I stopped up to wait for the wind." "Ah, I'm afraid you'll have to wait longer," he replied. "This'll be nothing but a tropical thunder-storm, and probably we won't have the ghost of a breeze after it has gone over." "I think differently, sir, begging your pardon," said Jackson, interposing at this point; "and, if you don't mind, Mr Marline, I'd like to have the lighter sails taken off her, in case it comes on to blow." "All right, please yourself, my dear sir; you're in charge of the deck," answered the first mate drily. "Though, mind you, I think you're giving yourself trouble for nothing. I wouldn't, however, call the captain till we really know whether we're going to have a squall or not." "Very well, sir," said Jackson, "I won't call him; but I'll have the upper canvas in, for it's just as well to be on the safe side, especially as I do think we're in for something." "With all my heart," replied Mr Marline cheerfully, seeing that Jackson was timid about exercising his new authority against his opinion, although he appeared to feel strongly in the matter. "Have in the rags by all means. I daresay it will save some trouble bye-and-by." "Very well, I will," said the other; and, calling the starboard watch, who were idling about and having a quiet caulk in the waist, he soon made them set about reducing the _Josephine's_ canvas--there being no necessity yet for summoning "all hands," as there was not a breath of air stirring, while the sea had hushed its monotonous roll, calming down to the quiet of a mill-pond. Previously to this, the ship had been under all plain sail, so as to be ready for the wind when it chose to visit us again; but, in a very short time, under Jackson's supervision and sharp, rapid orders, the courses were clewed up, the flying-jib hauled down, the topgallant-sails furled, and the spanker brailed up. In this half-dressed rig the vessel was now prepared to meet any sudden squall; while, should a favourable breeze come, sail could readily be added on--a much easier job to accomplish than that of taking in canvas in a gale!