rockets rose in the air, making it as bright as day. The little mermaid was so
startled that she dived under water; and when she again stretched out her
head, it appeared as if all the stars of heaven were falling around her, she
had never seen such fireworks before. Great suns spurted fire about,
splendid fireflies flew into the blue air, and everything was reflected in the
clear, calm sea beneath. The ship itself was so brightly illuminated that all
the people, and even the smallest rope, could be distinctly and plainly seen.
And how handsome the young prince looked, as he pressed the hands of all
present and smiled at them, while the music resounded through the clear
night air.
It was very late; yet the little mermaid could not take her eyes from the
ship, or from the beautiful prince. The colored lanterns had been
extinguished, no more rockets rose in the air, and the cannon had ceased
firing; but the sea became restless, and a moaning, grumbling sound could
be heard beneath the waves: still the little mermaid remained by the cabin
window, rocking up and down on the water, which enabled her to look in.
After a while, the sails were quickly unfurled, and the noble ship continued
her passage; but soon the waves rose higher, heavy clouds darkened the sky,
and lightning appeared in the distance. A dreadful storm was approaching;
once more the sails were reefed, and the great ship pursued her flying
course over the raging sea. The waves rose mountains high, as if they would
have overtopped the mast; but the ship dived like a swan between them, and
then rose again on their lofty, foaming crests. To the little mermaid this
appeared pleasant sport; not so to the sailors. At length the ship groaned and
creaked; the thick planks gave way under the lashing of the sea as it broke
over the deck; the mainmast snapped asunder like a reed; the ship lay over
on her side; and the water rushed in. The little mermaid now perceived that
the crew were in danger; even she herself was obliged to be careful to avoid
the beams and planks of the wreck which lay scattered on the water. At one
moment it was so pitch dark that she could not see a single object, but a
flash of lightning revealed the whole scene; she could see every one who
had been on board excepting the prince; when the ship parted, she had seen
