A double anchor-watch was kept that night, but nothing occurred to arouse anxiety or suspicion.
Early next morning, however, Jack Clewlin was suddenly turned out, and was told that a typhoon was threatening to sweep the harbour.
'Get your oilskins on at once,' Mr. Statten said. 'Mind that you put a strong belt round all outside, or if the wind gets inside your gear you'll be blown away. We're in for a regular "howler," I'm afraid.'
By the time Jack got into the open both mates were forward, singing out to the hands to send down all the upper masts and yards. In spite of the utmost alacrity, however, only the royal yards reached the deck, since the wind increased so rapidly that no one could remain aloft.
The alarmed emigrants were next battened down in the 'tween deck. Then the second anchor was 'cock-billed' and let go. Both cables were 'paid out' almost to their last links, and they were secured to the foremast. The wind attained hurricane force, and screamed through the rigging like a thousand furies.
Despite her sheltered position under the high mainland the vessel strained fearfully at her anchors, and owing to her height above the water she was frequently blown nearly on her beam-ends. The cries of the Chinamen down below could sometimes be faintly heard, but as they were dry and comparatively comfortable no notice was taken.
Amidst blinding rain and whirling spume all trace of the adjacent town and island disappeared. By noon scarcely any daylight remained. The clouds seemed to almost touch the masts. Volumes of water, swept up by the terrible wind, poured over the deck, and by two o'clock that afternoon the anchors began to drag. Nothing could be done to prevent such peril.
Many of the hands believed that the vessel would capsize. With tremendous strain at the cables, however, she always managed to swing head to wind, and the expected catastrophe was averted.
The Chinamen continued to shout, and became so panic-stricken that Captain Thorne warned their headman, a burly, stubborn-looking fellow, that any further disturbance would be severely dealt with.
About five o'clock that afternoon the typhoon was at its height, and the fearful scream of the wind and the blinding smother of rain and flying spray were truly appalling.