f the
breakers could be distinctly heard. All they could now do was to cling
to the bulwarks until the fatal crash came, and after that, how long the
stout ship would hold together it was impossible to say. Much would
depend upon the ground on which she was thrown. If on rocks projecting
from the shore, she would in all probability be soon dashed to pieces.
Even the stoutest seamen held their breath as they waited for the
inevitable catastrophe.

Lord Reginald, as he stood on the deck, could feel the ship now as she
rose, now as she fell in the trough of the sea, surging on closer and
closer to the dreaded coast. Those agonising moments were not to last
long. At length came a fearful crash. The mainmast, as if torn up by
some invisible hand, fell over the side, the foremast and mizzenmast
following in quick succession.

"She's struck, she's struck! All's lost, all's lost!" cried several of
the crew; while many who had hitherto shown ample courage in battle,
shrieked out in their agony of fear.

"Hold on, until the ship breaks up!" cried Lord Reginald. "We may have
a chance of getting on shore in the morning."

Though he gave this advice, he had little hope of its being followed.
Sea after sea continued to dash against the ship, and he feared, from
the cries which reached him, that many of his men were being torn from
their hold and carried away. He could just distinguish Voules and Lucas
clinging to the bulwarks a short distance from him. Now he cast his
eyes on the dark shore with a line of foaming breakers between him and
it. Then he looked seawards, and as he looked he saw an enormous black
wave advancing, higher, it seemed to him, than any of its predecessors.
On it came, and struck the ship, with a blow resounding louder than the
loudest thunder. The centre of the ship seemed to melt away with part
of the poop, carrying off several who had been clinging to it. No one
could render help to another. It was each man for himself. He saw a
figure, which he knew to be young Lucas, caught by the sea and whirled
round and round. Voules still remained, holding on to the bulwarks.
Then another sea came; he felt the poop breaking up beneath his feet.
In another instant he found himself among the foaming breakers,
surrounded by masses of wreck. He sank, but again coming to the
surface, clutched a piece of timber. It was of too small a size to
float him. He was rolled over and over, until compelled to let