d by reefs, some rising above the surface, others
sunk beneath it at different depths. These, it was found, extended to a
considerable distance from the shore, so that no craft of large size was
likely intentionally to approach. After the survey had been completed,
Lieutenant Foley offered to try and make his way to Jamaica in the
pinnace, the largest boat which now remained, the launch having been
lost with the ship.

"I cannot let you go," answered Captain Olding. "Even should the
weather continue favourable, the probabilities are that you would be
picked up by a Spaniard or a Frenchman, and you would fail to reach your
destination."

"But I might as probably be picked up by an English man-of-war or a
merchant vessel, sir," answered Norman, who was eager to make the
attempt.

The commander, however, was inexorable, and the lieutenant did not again
for some time venture to broach the subject.

The shipwrecked crew continued in vain to look out for relief, and
Commander Olding remained firm to his resolution of not allowing one of
the boats to try and make her way to Jamaica.

Notwithstanding the refusal Lieutenant Foley had received, Mr Billhook,
the master, offered to take charge of the pinnace with four or five
volunteers. "No great harm can happen if we are taken, sir, and still
less, some will say, if we go to the bottom, but the chances are we get
clear and arrive all right," he urged.

"One great harm would happen. Should you be captured, the enemy would
suspect where you came from, even if you refuse to tell them, and we
should have them coming here to try and cut us off," answered the
commander. "Wait patiently, gentlemen. Either some friendly vessel
will appear, or a French or Spanish trader or guarda-costa will some day
come to an anchor within the reefs; then, if we manage carefully, we
shall be able to get aboard her before she has time to cut her cable and
run out to sea."

This idea of the commander's soon got talked about, and all hands were
constantly on the watch for any vessel which they might hope to capture.
Not that the seamen were in any great hurry to leave the island; as
long as they had an ample supply of food and liquor they were happy,
while they had sufficient occupation to keep them out of mischief.

A look-out for any craft which might approach the shore was of course
constantly kept on both sides of the island. A mist had hung over the
sea during the night, which complet