so up this passage, we shall
ground in comparatively still water; whereas, as the wind has been
blowing from every quarter, it is almost certain that there will be
a tremendous sea in the open port."

Fairclough placed himself at the wheel, and told the two midshipmen
to go round, and tell the crew that there was an inlet ahead, but
the depth of the water was uncertain. When they approached it, all
hands would come aft, so as to avoid being crushed by the falling
masts. A dozen of the men were to take hatchets, and cut away the
wreckage if the mast fell, leaving only a couple of the shrouds
uncut. When this was done, directly the vessel began to break up,
those who could not swim were to make their way by these shrouds to
the floating mast. Those who could swim could make, at once, for
the shore.

"When all have left the ship but Mr. Hardy and myself, we will cut
the shrouds; and the masts will probably ground, ere long."

While before the sailors had, for the most part, been gazing at the
coast, on which they had little doubt that their bodies would soon
be cast up; they became lively and active, as soon as they received
the order. It seemed that, after all, there was a chance for them.

Four hours passed. The wind had now so far headed them that the
brig could no longer keep her course parallel with the shore. Twice
they had endeavoured to put her about, but each time failed; and
she was now making so much leeway that the coast was less than
three miles away. A tremendous sea was breaking upon it. One of the
midshipmen had, for the past hour, been in the foretop with a
glass; and the captain himself now went up, and took his place
beside him. He saw at once that, accustomed as he was to use his
telescope in rough weather, it would be useless here; for the
motion was so great that it was only by following the midshipman's
example, and lashing himself to the mast, that he could retain a
footing.

"You are sure that you have seen no break in the surf, Mr. Eden?"

"Quite sure, sir."

"We ought not to be far from it, now, if it is rightly marked on
the chart."

Another hour passed, and they were within a mile and a half of the
shore.

"I think that I can see a break, over there, sir," and the
midshipman pointed to a spot a mile along the coast.

"Pray God that it may be so," Fairclough said, "for it is our only
chance."

Two or three minutes later, he said:

"You are right, there is certainly a break the