mpanion-hatch, and their
knives cut away the rigging, and allowed the foremast, which hung over
the side, to float clear of the vessel.

"We must now cut away the mainmast. We shall have to bring up
presently, and it will enable her to ride more easily," cried Rayner.
The standing rigging was first cut through, then that on the other side,
when a few strokes sent the mast overboard. Still the schooner ran on
before the wind. Had she been laden, she must have foundered. The
hatches had been got on and battened down. They now, as far as
practicable, secured the companion-hatch, for they all well knew that
the moment they should bring up, the seas would come rolling on board,
and sweep the decks fore and aft. By Rayner's advice, each man got
lashings ready to secure himself to the stanchions or stumps of the
masts. Nearer and nearer the vessel drew to the shore. Looking ahead,
the line of breakers were seen dashing wildly on a reef parallel with
the shore, beyond which there appeared to be a narrow lagoon.

Rayner, observing that the surf did not roll up the beach to any
considerable height, looked out for a passage through which the vessel
might be steered. The continuous line of breakers ran as far as the eye
could reach along the shore. There was only one spot where they seemed
to break with less fury. Towards it Rayner determined to steer the
schooner. He and Oliver soon came to the conclusion that it would be
useless to attempt anchoring. The water, probably, was far too deep
outside the reef for their range of cable, and even if it were not, the
anchor was not likely to hold.

They accordingly steered for the spot they had discovered, the only one
which afforded them the slightest hope of escaping instant destruction.

On rushed the vessel, now rising on the top of a sea, now plunging into
a deep hollow. Rayner and Oliver held their breaths.

"I say, what's going to happen?" asked Tom of one of the other men.
"Shall we get safe on shore? I shouldn't mind if we could, although the
Frenchmen made us prisoners."

"As to that, it seems to me doubtful," was the answer. "Maybe, in a few
minutes we shall be floating about among those breakers there, with no
more life in us than those poor fellows who were washed away just now;
or it may be that this little craft will be carried clear over the reef
into smooth water."

"Oh dear, oh dear!" exclaimed Tom, "I have often wished that I had
stayed at home;