uch fear of that. We must
remain here for the rest of the night, and indeed until the gale
subsides; then, if the wreck is still above water, we will return to her
and complete the equipment of this boat and our preparations for a
voyage."

"You say, `if the wreck is still above water'. Is there any possibility
that she may not be?" demanded Mrs Vansittart.

"I very greatly fear so," I said. "When we involuntarily left her she
was being steadily driven ever nearer to the edge of the reef; and if
she passes that point I believe she will sink like a stone. Still,
there is no use in anticipating the worst. I would recommend you to
compose yourselves to sleep, if you can, until daylight; then we shall
know for certain exactly how we stand. By the way, is the boat leaking
at all?"

For a few seconds there was no reply; Mrs Vansittart was evidently
feeling round for indications of a leak. Presently she spoke.

"There has been a little water here, Walter," she replied, "but I
believe it all came in through the cockpit, in the form of spray, and
now no doubt it has all run aft with the tilt of the boat. There is
nothing worse now than a little damp."

"I am sorry," I said; "but I am afraid you will have to make the best of
things as they are. Luckily it is anything but cold, and if you can but
get to sleep you will soon forget your discomforts. I will keep a
look-out."

So saying I backed out from under the deck, and in the first place
proceeded to search for the water complained of. I found it right aft,
as Mrs Vansittart had suggested, and in order to test the tightness of
the boat I baled it all out, or at least as much of it as could be got
rid of with the baler, leaving no more than perhaps half a tumblerful.
Then, wading ashore, I sat down on the sand, with my back against the
upright oar to which the boat was moored, and began to review the
situation. Five minutes later, despite my soaked clothing and my
general state of discomfort, I was fast asleep.

When I awoke, the sun was just showing on the eastern horizon. The sky
was clear, save for a few tattered fragments of ragged-looking scud that
speedily disappeared, the wind had died down to a piping, topsail
breeze, and the sea-birds, which had evidently been driven out to sea by
the gale, were wearily winging their way back to the sandbank, filling
the brisk, clean morning air with their mournful cries. I looked for
the wreck, but the reef was bar