of spokes to windward; the ship flew on. Scarcely had the danger
been passed, when the wind fell and the sea became rapidly calmer.

"Has not the sea gone down with wonderful quickness?" observed Gerald to
Nat Kiddle, who was standing near him, both of them trying to peer out
through the darkness.

"I suppose it is because we are protected by the reef we passed,"
answered Nat. "I only hope we shall not meet with others."

"Breakers ahead!" shouted the look-out from forward.

"Starboard the helm, hard a-starboard!" cried the commander.

The ship came to the wind, and as she did so the white foam was seen
rising directly under her lee. The threatened danger was passed,
although so narrowly that her keel grated over a rock below it.

"Stand ready to let go the best bower!" was the next order heard.

"Hands aloft to furl the fore-topsail!" Scarcely had the commander
uttered the words than a terrific crashing sound was heard. The ship
had struck a sunken reef. The way she had on her forced her over it.

"Sound the well, Mr O'Rourke," cried the commander.

Before, however, the carpenter could obey the order, the ship again
struck and remained fixed, apparently on a reef. Soundings were
immediately taken ahead and astern, and from the small depth, of water
round her, it was too clear that she had been driven hopelessly on a
broad reef. The sea dashed against her, sending the spray in dense
showers over her decks; but it was evident that there were reefs outside
which greatly protected her, and that there was no immediate danger of
her being dashed to pieces, or the crew losing their lives. The
darkness prevented any object from being seen round her, except black
rocks and the snow-white foam which flew off from the summits of the
seas. The crew behaved, as well-disciplined British seamen always do
under such circumstances, with perfect coolness. The men who were going
aloft to furl the fore-topsail were ordered down, and the commander
directed the carpenter to cut away the remaining mast, as it threatened
every instant to fall. A few strokes of the axe brought it down over
the forecastle, the wind carrying it in that direction.

"I fear the old bark is lost," said Gerald to Nat Kiddle. "I little
expected to see such an ending of her."

"No doubt about it," answered Nat. "The water is rushing like a
mill-sluice into the hold, and if it wasn't that she is firm on the
rocks, she would not have many minute