as no time for shortening sail; onward she flew at a rapid rate through
the water.

"She will get through, after all," observed the commander.

The various spectators almost held their breath, for, though the ship
they were watching was an enemy, no one wished her to meet that fate
which it seemed probable would overtake her. Now again she rose almost
to an even keel, but not a brace or a sheet was slackened. Already the
sea was breaking with fearful violence over a dark reef under her lee,
while she was sailing as close as possible to the wind.

"She will not weather it," cried the master. "They are attempting to go
about. It's too late, though. She's lost--she's lost!"

At that instant the gale with fresh force struck the devoted ship. Down
she heeled, and a sea striking her before she had come round, drove her
bodily on the reef. The following seas dashed wildly over her, almost
concealing her dark hull from view. For a few moments her masts again
came into view, but directly afterwards they fell over one after the
other, and the vessel herself appeared to be melting away before the
reiterated blows of the fierce waves, which seemed suddenly to rise for
the purpose of effecting her destruction.

"We must be ready to offer help to any of the poor fellows who may be
washed ashore," exclaimed the commander; "though I fear that few will
reach it alive."

Both officers and men were eager to carry out his suggestion. A number
of long spars and coils of rope were got ready, and the greater number
of the _Champion's_ officers and crew set off towards the northern end
of the island, the only point where it was at all probable that any of
the Spaniards would be able to land. On reaching it, however, the
desperate condition of the unfortunate crew was still more clearly seen.
To send them help was beyond the power of the English. No boat could
possibly live in the sea already running round the reef on which the
ship had struck.

Already a large portion of the hull had been knocked to pieces, while
the greater number of her crew had been washed into the raging surf and
drowned. A few wretches alone clung desperately to the forepart of the
ship and the stump of the bowsprit. No assistance could be sent to
them. Every instant the wind increased; the seas rolled up more wildly
against the wreck, as if eager for their destruction. Still the
commander and most of the officers and crew stood watching, on the bare