one
issued an order and no one obeyed. At last, _the lady_ shouted--"let
go the anchor!"--the worst command that could be given,--and down went
the best bower and the second anchor, while the vessel swung round,
and dashed flat on both of them. No one seemed to think of clewing up
the sails, and thereby lessening the impetuous surges of the
unfortunate galliot.

Our sad mishap occurred about one o'clock in the morning. Fortunately
there was not much wind and the sea was tolerably calm, so that we
could recognize, and, in some degree, control our situation;--yet,
every thing on board appeared given over to Batavian stupidity and
panic.

My own feelings may be understood by those who have calmly passed
through danger, while they beheld their companions unmanned by fear or
lack of coolness. There was no use of my interference, for no one
would heed me. At last the captain's wife, who was probably the most
collected individual on board, called my name loudly, and in the
presence of officers and crew, who, by this time were generally
crowded on the quarter-deck, entreated me to save her ship!

Of course, I sprang to duty. Every sail was clewed up, while the
anchors were weighed to prevent our thumping on them. I next ordered
the boats to be lowered; and, taking a crew in one, directed the
captain to embark in another to seek an escape from our perilous trap.
At daylight, we ascertained that we had crossed the edge of the reef
at high water, yet it would be useless to attempt to force her back,
as she was already half a foot buried in the soft and mushy
outcroppings of coral.

Soon after sunrise, we beheld, at no great distance, one of those low
sandy keys which are so well-known to West Indian navigators; while,
further in the distance, loomed up the blue and beautiful outline of
the highlands of Cuba. The sea was not much ruffled by swell or waves;
but as we gazed at the key, which we supposed deserted, we saw a boat
suddenly shoot from behind one of its points and approach our wreck.
The visitors were five in number; their trim, beautiful boat was
completely furnished with fishing implements, and four of the hands
spoke Spanish only, while the _patron_, or master, addressed us in
French. The whole crew were dressed in flannel shirts, the skirts of
which were belted by a leather strap over their trowsers, and when the
wind suddenly dashed the flannel aside, I saw they had long knives
concealed beneath it.

The _patr