many loved ones in their far distant homes, and
they could not but see that long before the frigate could reach the
distant point she must drift on the reef. By the loss of one of her
sails she would be sent there within a very few minutes. Ben and Tom,
young as they were, could not fail clearly to comprehend their danger.
Ben did not tremble; he did not give way to tears, or to any weak fears,
but he turned his heart to God. To Him the young lad prayed that He
would protect his mother: he tried to think of what he had done wrong,
that he might earnestly repent; and then he threw himself on the love
and mercy of Jesus. "On Thee, O Lord Jesus, on Thee, in Thee I trust,"
he kept saying. All this time, however, his attention was awake; his
eyes were open, and his ears ready to receive any order that might be
given. Such is the state of mind, such the way in which many a
Christian sailor has met death.

On, on, flew the frigate. It was indeed a time of intense anxiety to
all on board. The officers were collected near the captain. A short
consultation was held. Some of the men thought that they were going to
put the ship about, under the belief that she would lie up taller on the
other tack. Should she miss stays, however, and of that there was the
greatest danger, her almost instant destruction would be the
consequence. No; the captain would not make the attempt. He would
trust to a change of wind. Should it come ahead, then there would be
time enough to go about; if not, it would be best to stand on. They
were in God's hands, not their own. Mr Charlton and the second
lieutenant were seen going aloft, with their telescopes at their backs.
Eagerly they scanned the line of breakers. It seemed sometimes as if no
human being could hold on up there on the mast, with the hurricane
raging so furiously around. The evening was drawing on. Should
darkness be down on them before they were clear of the reef, what hope
of escape could they have? The eyes of the crew were now directed to
their two officers aloft. Their lives seemed to depend on the result of
their investigations. At length they were seen to be descending. All
watched them eagerly as they reached the deck. Their countenances, it
was thought, wore a more cheerful aspect than before. The wind had not
lessened, nor was there the slightest indication of a change. The men,
as has been said, were at their stations, and no one moved. There they
would