cast
towards the foaming breakers, amid which they were about to force their
way. The crew put forth all their strength. The first breaker was
past. Though they bent to their oars like true British seamen, the
second, as it came thundering on, hurled them back; and it required all
the skill of Adair and his companions to manage the boat till they
reached the smooth water.

"Never say die, lads!" cried Adair, after waiting a few minutes to allow
the men to recover their strength; "we'll try it again; if the
ash-sticks hold, your muscles will, I am sure."

"Ay, ay, sir!" answered the crew; "we're ready."

"Then give way." The attempt was made as before, but again a mighty
roller dashed back the boat, and sent her nearly up to the beach. Still
Adair was unwilling to abandon the attempt. He waited as before,
allowing the boat to remain where there was just water to float her.

"I am afraid we shall have, after all, to haul up the boat, and sleep on
the beach without our suppers," he observed to Snatchblock; "we can
easily keep the natives at bay, and must hope for smoother water in the
morning."

"If it must be so, it must," answered the boatswain, standing up,
however, as he spoke, and looking seaward. "We'll tackle them this
time, sir," he exclaimed suddenly; "the outer line of breakers has gone
down since we shoved off."

Adair stood up. "Yes, we'll not be driven back again, lads; never
fear!" he cried, dropping into his seat. The crew, with a hearty shout,
bent to their oars, and the boat, urged by their strong arms, bravely
breasted the foaming rollers. The first and second were past; the third
came on hissing and roaring; the boat still advanced; its heavy curling
crest swept her from stem to stern, but she held her way, and was ready
when another came on to meet it boldly. Over it she went, throwing out
the water which she had taken in, and in another minute was dancing
merrily on the heaving seas outside the breakers.

Adair looked anxiously to see whether any of his sable passengers, young
or old, had been washed away. In spite of the risk they had run, all
were safe. The poor mother had grasped her child, and the men the other
young ones. The sun was by this time sinking behind the land; the crew
pulled away with right good will towards the corvette, which could be
seen at a distance of three miles or so. She was standing away from the
land to get a good offing during the night. "They've s