The puff we had got off the east coast of America showed me what a gale was; but that was mere child's play to the storm now blowing.  When I thought anything was at its worst, when matters wore a most gloomy and threatening aspect, I could not but admire the coolness and self-possession of Captain Frankland and his officers.  They seemed to take it all as a matter of course, and walked the deck as composedly as in a calm, only they had to hold on pretty tightly at times to the weather-railings, when the ship, with a sudden jerk, was sent over to port, and then back again almost as far on the other side.  It was fine, however, to see the tall figure of Captain Frankland, as he balanced himself, leaning backward when the ship shot downwards into the trough of the sea; and I soon gained confidence from the perfect composure he exhibited.  Very soon the wind came round more to the northward of west, and the ship looked up rather nearer to her course round the Cape.  Our satisfaction, however, was soon destroyed by the redoubled fury with which the gale came down on us.  The captain beckoned Mr Renshaw and Mr Brand to come to him.  They stood in earnest conversation on the quarter-deck.  Darkness was coming on--I could just see their figures grouped together.  With startling energy Mr Renshaw had just given the order to furl the fore and mizzentop-sail, to heave the ship to, when there was a loud crash.