The sailors were dancing on deck, but when the prince
came out of the cabin, more than a hundred 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. And how handsome the young prince looked, as he shook the hands of
all present and smiled at them, while the music played in the clear night
air.
The party was so loud and the lights so bright that the
sailors did not notice the lightning flashing in the sky. In what seemed
like an instant, a raging storm blew across the ship.
"Look out!" screamed Sara, but no one could hear her
over the music and the storm. A fierce black wave crashed into the ship,
tossing it violently and, to her horror, Sara saw the young prince was
washed overboard, knocking his head against the railing as he fell.