himself at once began
shouting a no very melodious ditty. First one man joined in, then
another and another, until the whole of the boats' crews were singing at
the top of their voices. It appeared to me that the vessel was moving
somewhat faster than before through the water, but looking towards the
wall of foam that seemed no further off. Still we knew that our efforts
were of use, as we thus considerably delayed the destruction which
awaited our vessel should she once get within the power of the breakers.
Hour after hour passed by. The swell had increased, and, combined with
the current, made our task still more difficult, but Harry had too much
at stake to let any consideration for our fatigue induce him to allow us
to rest for a moment. "Pull on, lads, pull on," he shouted. "We shall
have the breeze before long, and we'll not let the schooner be cast
away."

The roar of the breakers sounded in our ears between each dip of the
oars. I looked round, but no sign of a breeze could I discover. My
heart sank within me as I thought of how Harry must be _feeling_ with
the dear ones under his charge in so great a peril. As I again looked
towards the reef it seemed that, since we could not tow the vessel off,
no power could save her. I knew that the depth of water close up to
these coral reefs is generally so great that there would not be a
possibility of anchoring, nor did I see any opening through which we
could pass and get into smooth water.

At last Harry shouted out, "Mr Platt, in the second gig, come alongside
and help trim sails." We at once obeyed him.

"What do you think we shall get out of that, Platt," he asked, pointing
to a small cloud which was seen rising above the horizon.

"A stiffish breeze, to my mind, and I hope we shall get it before long,"
answered Tom.

We at once trimmed sails, and while we were so employed I saw several
cats'-paws playing over the surface. The sails filled.

"Let the boats come alongside, and we'll hoist them in before the breeze
catches us," cried Harry. "We shall do now, without their help, I
hope."

This was speedily done, but scarcely had we secured the larger boat, the
first gig having already been hoisted on board, than the wind filling
our canvas, the vessel heeled over almost to her gunwale. But the
danger was not past, we had still that fearful wall of surf under our
lee. It would be no easy matter to beat off it.

The awning had been quickly unrigg