convey the transcript as it should be. Pass we on,
therefore, to the more immediate incidents of our narrative.

The day now rapidly developing, full opportunity was
afforded the mariners to survey the strict nature of
their position. To all appearance they were yet in the
middle of the lake, for around them lay the belting sweep
of forest that bounded the perspective of the equidistant
circle, of which their bark was the focus or immediate
centre. The wind was dying gradually away, and when at
length the sun rose, in all his splendour, there was
scarce air enough in the heavens to keep the sails from
flapping against the masts, or to enable the vessel to
obey her helm. In vain was the low and peculiar whistle
of the seamen heard, ever and anon, in invocation of the
departing breeze. Another day, calm and breathless as
the preceding, had been chartered from the world of light;
and their hearts failed them, as they foresaw the difficulty
of their position, and the almost certainty of their
retreat being cut off. It was while labouring under the
disheartening consciousness of danger, peculiar to all,
that the anxious boatswain summoned Captain de Haldimar
and Sir Everard Valletort, by a significant beck of the
finger, to the side of the deck opposite to that on which
still lay the suffering and nearly broken-hearted girls.

"Well, Mullins, what now?" enquired the former, as he
narrowly scanned the expression of the old man's features:
"that clouded brow of yours, I fear me, bodes no agreeable
information."