if it had
not been for the Lascars, we might long since have been anchored in
safety. I saw by the chart that several small islands, rocks, and
shoals lay ahead. Should we escape them? There was the question.
Several times the boatswain, or Roger Trew, or one of the other men, had
ascended the main rigging to look ahead in search of land. However, so
high did the sea run, that we might be close upon an island, unless it
was a high one, without discovering it.

The increasing darkness now prevented us seeing beyond the bowsprit.
All we could do, therefore, was to steer as we had hitherto done before
the sea, to escape its breaking on board us. We had scarcely eaten
anything for some hours, when the boatswain advised us to take some
food. "Whatever happens, we have work before us; and we must keep the
strength in our bodies," he observed. Fortunately there was a good
supply in the cabin, and half our party went down at a time to sup,
leaving the others on guard on deck. All hands had just taken a hearty
meal, when, as we were collected together on the quarter-deck, just
below the poop, the sound a seaman most dreads--the roar of breakers--
struck our ears. We all listened attentively. There could be no doubt
about it. It was far deeper and louder than the roaring of the sea
against our sides. I held my breath; so I suspect did every one round
me.

"What is it, Mr Walter?" asked Oliver, who was standing close to me.

"Some of us will meet with watery graves before many minutes are over,"
said the boatswain, "unless Providence works a miracle to save the
ship."

Scarcely had he spoken when we felt the ship rising to a heavy sea, then
down she came with a crash which made every timber in her quiver and
shake.

"To the main rigging!" cried the boatswain, seizing me by the collar. I
saw Roger Trew seize Oliver in the same way. "Quick, quick, lads! or
the next sea will wash you off the deck," cried the boatswain.

We sprang into the shrouds, and climbed up, up, up into the pitchy
darkness. Scarcely were we off the deck than a huge sea came rolling
up, sweeping everything before it. The Lascars had done as we had set
them the example, and numbers of dark forms were seen swarming up the
rigging into the fore-top. Another and another sea followed. No longer
could we distinguish the deck below us, so completely overwhelmed was it
by the raging waters. Higher and higher they rose. The masts swayed
about a