A baleful storm was approaching. The great ship pursued her flying course over the tempestuous sea. Two high-reaching waves rose like mountains as if they would have overtopped the mast, but the ship dove like a swan between them. At length, the ship groaned. As the waves broke over the deck, the thick planks gave way under the lashing of the sea, and the mainmast snapped asunder like a reed. Soon, the ship laid over on her side and water rushed in.
The Little Mermaid now perceived that the crew were in imminent danger. When a flash of lightning revealed the whole scene, she could see everyone who had been on deck except the prince. When the ship parted, she spied the enervated prince disappear into the waves. At first, she rejoiced because she thought he would now join her; then she remembered that human beings could not survive in the water.
With beams and planks were strewn about, the sea buffeted her as she swam between the pieces, heedless that the wood could crush her. Then she dove under the dark waters until at length she managed to reach the prince. Losing the power of swimming in that savage sea, the prince would have precipitately perished if the Little Mermaidhad not come to his assistance. His limbs were failing him; his dark eyes were closed. She held his head above the water and let the waves drift them where they would.
By the morning, the storm had dissipated, but she could not perceive a single fragment of the vanished ship. Although the sun had restored the hue of health to the prince’s cheeks, his eyes remained sealed. The mermaid tenderly kissed his smooth brow and stroked back his watery hair as she held him aloft.
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