served the master; "but if we were
to attempt either to stay or to wear, we should inevitably be driven
upon the rocks."

Several of the best hands were at the helm, watching for the directions
of the master. Sometimes, after a slight shift in the wind, hopes were
entertained that the reef might be escaped; but then, again, it was
found she was making so much leeway that even this slight hope was
abandoned. Onward she rushed to her inevitable destruction, it seemed.
Meantime, the wounded commander had been lying in his cot. Several
times he had desired to be carried on deck, but the surgeon, who sat by
his side, entreated him to stop where he was, fearing the excitement
would be too great, and that his wounds, which had hitherto been going
on favourably, might take a turn for the worse.

"Then send the master to me," he said, "that I may learn the exact
position of the ship."

The master made his appearance.

"I wish she was in a better position than she is, sir," he observed;
"but we are doing all that men can do to claw off shore, and if we had
had our topmasts, there would have been no difficulty about the matter.
She makes fearful leeway, and there is an ugly reef ahead, which I do
not altogether like; but I have been in as bad a case before and
escaped, and I pray Heaven we may get clear this time."

"Doctor, you must let me go on deck, that I may see the worst. It is
torture to lie here below," exclaimed the wounded captain.

"But the master says, sir, that we have a prospect of hauling off shore,
and I again repeat that you would only incur great danger by exposing
yourself to the cold wind and spray that you would have to encounter.
No, no, sir; stay where you are, and let us hope for the best."

Many more anxious minutes passed. The master returned to his duty on
deck, and the captain, having full confidence in his judgment, would not
again send for him.

"Come, doctor, there are many poor fellows want your aid besides me; go
and look after them, I entreat you," he said at length. "They will give
me notice in time enough when all hope is gone, or, I trust, I may soon
hear that the ship has weathered the reef, and has brought up in the
bay."

Scarcely had he spoken when a loud roar of breakers reached even to
where he lay. A cry arose on deck, and the next instant there came a
fearful crash. The frigate had struck on the reef. The captain was
endeavouring to rise from his cot, when Davis rush