"Well, you see that you were not struck dead," said the boatswain to the youth.
"Nor carried away by the devil," said another of the sailors.
"The year is not yet out, nor the day either," thought Vranic to himself; "and even if you live, you may rue this day and the deed you've done."
"You have saved all our lives, and we thank you, Gennaro," added the captain. "I shall never forget you; and I hope that, as long as I command a ship, we'll never part."
Thereupon, he clasped him in his arms and kissed him fondly.
"Thank you, captain; and may San Gennaro, my patron saint, and the blessed Virgin, grant you your wish and mine."
"We thank you, too," said the captain to Vranic, feeling himself bound to say something; "you are really a magician, and you know the secret of the elements."
"Oh! it is a thing that every child knows in our country, just like pouring oil in the sea to calm the waves."
The men said nothing, but they were all glad the coasts were near, and that they would soon get rid of this uncanny and uncouth man.
In the meanwhile, the sun had gone down, and dark night spread itself like a pall over the sea. The storm then increased with the darkness. The waterspout had vanished, but in its stead a pouring rain came down; the wind also began to blow in fitful blasts, and as it came in a contrary direction they were obliged to tack about, and to take in the sails. The storm, however, kept increasing at a fearful rate; the wind was blowing a real hurricane; all sails, even the jib, had to be reefed. The sea, lashed by the wind, became ever more boisterous; the waves rose in succession, uplifting themselves the one on top of the other, and dashing against the ship, which ever seemed ready to founder. All hands were now at the pumps, and Vranic, along with the others, worked away with all his strength.