to, it's an ill wind that blows no one good," observed
the boatswain. "I only wish she had the wind freer. It will be no easy
matter for that big ship, rigged as she is, to beat up this harbour, and
when she is inside it is hard to say where she can bring up; for, with
the wind shifting and veering about, there is no safe anchorage that I
could find for her."

"She would not attempt to come in here unless she was in distress,"
remarked Harry. "And if, as is probable, there are passengers on board,
they may be landed here with less danger than on the open coast, even
should she get on shore."

"I should not like to insure her against doing that," said the
boatswain. "Heaven help her and the poor people on board. If the
captain knows the place, he would rather have kept out at sea than tried
to come in here. See, she is about again, and is standing to the
south'ard. Perhaps, after all, he thinks he had better not make the
attempt."

"We must run up the flag. It will help them to find the mouth of the
inner harbour, at all events," said Harry. "Come, Patch, you must give
up your cloak; you can do without it now."

The curiously-contrived flag was quickly hoisted and flew out to the
breeze.

The party stood in silence watching the ship for some time. They were
too anxious about her to make many remarks. The gale continued blowing
as hard as ever. Suddenly it shifted to the southwest, the ship fell
off a few points, and then she was seen slowly to come about, and once
more she headed up towards the harbour.

"He has made up his mind to come in. No doubt about that," observed the
boatswain.

"It is time, Mr Shafto, for us to launch the boat, to go off to her,
and we may then be ready. The captain thinks if he is once inside he
will be all safe, but to my mind he will be greatly mistaken."

"I'll follow your advice, Mr Bollard," said Harry. "We will do our
best, lads, to help the people if the ship gets on shore. I know that I
can depend on you."

"Ay, ay, sir, and never fear," answered the men, as they followed the
young officer down the the hill. They kept the ship in sight all the
way, and could still see her clearly from the beach.

On she stood, and the wind holding, she was able to steer directly for
the harbour. Under ordinary circumstances she would have appeared
secure of entering a haven of safety; but with the wind constantly
shifting, the rocky shore on either side, and deep water clo