Father Hell was philosopher enough to know that unusual events do
not happen without cause. Perhaps he would have undergone a week
of storm without its occurring to him to investigate the cause of
such a bad spell of weather. But when he found the second week
approaching its end and yet no sign of the sun appearing or the
wind abating, he was satisfied that something must be wrong. So he
went to work in the spirit of the modern physician who, when there
is a sudden outbreak of typhoid fever, looks at the wells and
examines their water with the microscope to find the microbes
that must be lurking somewhere. He looked about, and made careful
inquiries to find what wickedness captain and crew had been guilty
of to bring such a punishment. Success soon rewarded his efforts.
The King of Denmark had issued a regulation that no fish or oil
should be sold along the coast except by the regular dealers in
those articles. And the vessel had on board contraband fish and
blubber, to be disposed of in violation of this law.
The astronomer took immediate and energetic measures to insure the
public safety. He called the crew together, admonished them of
their sin, the suffering they were bringing on themselves, and the
necessity of getting back to their families.
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