instant,
and then down she came again with a crash which seemed to be wrenching
her timbers asunder. I knew too well what had happened. We were on
shore; and in an instant I realised all the horrors of our situation.
The cries and shouts which reached me from the deck left no doubt about
the matter.

Shipping on my clothes, I hurried into the cabin, where I found my
mother and Edith. Entreating them to remain where they were till my
father summoned them, I next went on deck to ascertain the worst.

The brig had been carried over a sunken reef, and lay with her masts
pointing towards the shore, which could be distinguished through the
gloom not more than half a mile away. My father stood by the mainmast
perfectly composed, issuing orders as if nothing had occurred. Hands
were sent aloft to furl the foretopsail; and he then directed that the
boats on the starboard side should be brought over, so as to be launched
into the smoother water under our lee--where, on sounding, we found that
there was sufficient depth to float them without risk of their striking
the coral below. We had driven on to a small inner reef--a portion,
probably, of what was once the fringing reef of the continent.

It may seem strange that my father had not gone into the cabin, but his
professional duty overcame all other considerations. His first thought
was to take measures for preserving the lives of all on board.

As soon as he heard my voice near him, he directed me to go back to the
cabin, to assure my mother and Edith that, though the brig might be
lost, he felt perfect confidence that we should all be conveyed safely
on shore, and desired them to put together such things as they were most
likely to require under the circumstances that we might be placed in.
Although my mother was alarmed, her fears did not overcome her; and
Edith, seeing her comparatively calm, did not give way to terror.

"This is indeed a sad misfortune," said my mother; "but God's will be
done. We must trust to him to protect us. Tell your father we will do
what he desires, and shall be ready to leave the vessel as soon as he
summons us."

I went on deck, and found my father and the mates, aided by Mudge,
labouring with the crew in getting two of the boats into the water. Our
boat had unfortunately been stove in by the falling of the topmasts when
the brig struck.

"It is as well to be on the safe side, and to have the boats ready to
shove off in case it sh