ung low on the water and did not extend to the upper regions of
the air.

"There she is, your honour, bless her old heart!" he exclaimed. "She's
still hard and fast on the reef, and never another plank sprung from the
starn, as far as I can see!"

This was good news; and Mr Meldrum, with the mate, hastened to join the
carpenter on his perch above.

Yes, there in the distance, rising out of the mist, could be seen the
upper portion of the poop of the _Nancy Bell_, although the wreck was
still occasionally obscured by a wave breaking over it; and, presently,
on the lifting of the fog, as the clouds cleared off from the face of
the sky and a gleam of sunshine stole out, lighting up the sea and
landscape around, it could be observed that the remains of the vessel
were nearly in the same condition, apparently, as when last noticed on
the evening before--save that the poor ship was now surrounded by a line
of breakers which dashed over the stern continually, looking as if they
meant to pull it in pieces before they had done with it!

"She's shifted more on to her side," said Mr Meldrum, who had taken out
a glass from his pocket and was now inspecting the remains of the old
ship more carefully. "I can see the deck clearly. The waves are
spurting up through the hole where the skylight was removed, so the
cabins must be pretty well washed out by this time."

"Ah! that's the rayson we couldn't say the flag, sorr," observed the
mate.

"It is there still," replied Mr Meldrum; "although it is now all to
port, instead of right amidships as it was when we left. This is on
account of the mizzen-mast stump leaning over into the water, for I
couldn't see it myself till I took the glass. She can't last much
longer, though. Those seas are breaking over her with frightful force,
judging by the amount of surf they send up, and they must soon make an
end of her!"

"I hope it'll calm down a bit, sir," said Ben Boltrope. "I'm nervous
about them timbers for the roof of the house."

"Be aisy with you, man," put in Mr McCarthy. "Sure an' all the anxiety
in the worruld won't dhrive a pig to market! If we're to have the
crathur's planks we'll have thim sure enough; and if we aren't, why we
won't, that's all about it!"

"The sea may run easier at low water, Boltrope," said Mr Meldrum to
console the carpenter; "and if she should be broken up by that time,
we'll send out the jolly-boat and pick up what we can."

"Begorrah, you won