ghts of the light-ship, glaring from the dark sea like
a wolf's eyes from a cavern. They looked nearer and brighter than in
ordinary nights, and appeared to the excited senses of the young men to
dance strangely on the waves, and to be always opposite to them, as they
moved along the shore with the wind almost at their backs.

"What did that old fellow mean?" said Malbone in Harry's ear, as they
came to a protected place and could hear each other, "by talking of
Brenton's Reef coming to Price's Neck."

"Some sailor's doggerel," said Harry, indifferently. "Here is Price's
Neck before us, and yonder is Brenton's Reef."

"Where?" said Philip, looking round bewildered.

The lights had gone, as if the wolf, weary of watching, had suddenly
closed his eyes, and slumbered in his cave.

Harry trembled and shivered. In Heaven's name, what could this
disappearance mean?

Suddenly a sheet of lightning came, so white and intense, it sent its
light all the way out to the horizon and exhibited far-off vessels, that
reeled and tossed and looked as if wandering without a guide. But this
was not so startling as what it showed in the foreground.

There drifted heavily upon the waves, within full view from the shore,
moving parallel to it, yet gradually approaching, an uncouth shape that
seemed a vessel and yet not a vessel; two stunted masts projected above,
and below there could be read, in dark letters that apparently swayed
and trembled in the wan lightning, as the thing moved on,

BRENTON'S REEF.

Philip, leaning against a rock, gazed into the darkness where the
apparition had been; even Harry felt a thrill of half-superstitious
wonder, and listened half mechanically to a rough sailor's voice at his
ear:--

"God! old Joe was right. There's one wreck that is bound to make many.
The light-ship has parted."

"Drifting ashore," said Harry, his accustomed clearness of head coming
back at a flash. "Where will she strike?"

"Price's Neck," said the sailor.

Harry turned to Philip and spoke to him, shouting in his ear the
explanation. Malbone's lips moved mechanically, but he said nothing.
Passively, he let Harry take him by the arm, and lead him on.

Following the sailor, they rounded a projecting point, and found
themselves a little sheltered from the wind. Not knowing the region,
they stumbled about among the rocks, and scarcely knew when they neared
the surf, except when a wave came swashing round their very feet.