age so well, be made to
pilot us?" said the boatswain to those who were near him on the
forecastle.

"To be sure! let's have him up!" cried several of the crew; and some of
them went down below.

In a minute they reappeared with Hawkhurst, whom they led forward. He
did not make any resistance, and the crew demanded that he should pilot
the vessel.

"And suppose I will not?" said Hawkhurst, coolly.

"Then you lose your passage, that's all," replied the boatswain. "Is it
not so, my lads?" continued he, appealing to the crew.

"Yes; either take us safe in, or--overboard," replied several.

"I do not mind that threat, my lads," replied Hawkhurst; "you have all
known me as a good man and true, and it's not likely that I shall desert
you now. Well, since your captain there cannot save you, I suppose I
must; but," exclaimed he, looking about him, "how's this? We are out of
the passage already. Yes--and whether we can get into it again I cannot
tell."

"We are not out of the passage," said Cain; "you know we are not."

"Well, then, if the captain knows better than I, he had better take you
through," rejoined Hawkhurst.

But the crew thought differently, and insisted that Hawkhurst, who well
knew the channel, should take charge. Cain retired aft, as Hawkhurst
went out on the bowsprit.

"I will do my best, my lads," said Hawkhurst "but recollect, if we
strike in trying to get into the right channel, do not blame me.
Starboard a little--starboard yet--steady, so--there's the true passage
my lads," cried he, pointing to some smoother water between the
breakers; "port a little--steady."

But Hawkhurst, who knew that he was to be put on shore as soon as
convenient, had resolved to lose the schooner, even if his own life were
forfeited, and he was now running her out of the passage on the rocks.
A minute after he had conned her, she struck heavily again and again.
The third time she struck, she came broadside to the wind and heeled
over: a sharp coral rock found its way through her slight timbers and
planking, and the water poured in rapidly.

During this there was a dead silence on the part of the marauders.

"My lads," said Hawkhurst, "I have done my best, and now you may throw
me overboard if you please. It was not my fault, but his," continued
he, pointing to the captain.

"It is of little consequence whose fault it was, Mr Hawkhurst," replied
Cain; "we will settle that point by-and-by; at present we have