commander.
Another sea came hissing on astern, threatening to dash the vessel to
pieces; but no! it lifted her up, and bore her on its summit far along
over the reef.

Mr Manners found himself at that awful moment in command of the
schooner. He ordered the well to be sounded. It was not necessary; for
the water, it was soon evident, was rushing in through numerous large
rents made by the sharp coral. Still the vessel drove on, now among
rocks, now in clear water. She was, however, rapidly filling. "Out
boats!" was the cry. Fortunately these had escaped injury. Again,
however, the schooner was exposed to the fury of the sea, which came
sweeping round through a passage in the reef.

At that moment a sudden panic seized the crew. Ben felt himself grasped
by the arm, and dragged into one of the boats which had just been
lowered. Five men only were in her. Either intentionally or by
accident, the painter was let go, and the boat drifted rapidly away from
the sinking vessel. The men searched for the oars, which they supposed
to be in the boat; only one was to be found. To return to the schooner
was therefore impossible. Their only prospect of safety was to get the
boat before the wind with the oar. This was done, and farther and
farther away she drifted from the vessel.

The men said but little. They regretted being driven away from the
schooner without receiving more on board; and Ben heard, with sorrow,
that there was but little chance of any of their shipmates being saved.
Their own prospects also were gloomy enough. They had no water, no
provisions, on board, and one oar alone to guide the boat. One of the
most dreadful fates which seamen have sometimes to endure seemed in
store for them--to be out on the wide ocean, exposed to the heat of the
sun by day and chills by night, without a drop of water to cool their
burning thirst. The poor fellows knew too well that this might be their
lot; but still they were thankful that they had hitherto escaped the
destruction which had overtaken so many of their shipmates.

Two or three of the men at a time were employed in baling out the boat,
while one steered as well as he could before the seas. Again the sound
of breakers was heard: it was right ahead. "It is all up with us!"
cried one of the men. "God be merciful to us!" cried another. Scarcely
had they spoken, when the boat was lifted on the foaming summit of a
sea, the crest of which nearly filled her w