at
impetuosity. About three miles from them was a cluster of small islands
with cocoa-trees growing on them, but with no appearance of inhabitants.

"I fear we have little chance," observed Krantz to Philip. "If we
lighten the vessel the anchor may not hold, and we shall be swept
further on, and it is impossible to lay out an anchor against the force
of this current."

"At all events we must try; but I grant that our situation is anything
but satisfactory. Send all the hands aft."

The men came aft, gloomy and dispirited.

"My lads!" said Philip, "why are you disheartened?"

"We are doomed, sir; we knew it would be so."

"I thought it probable that the ship would be lost--I told you so; but
the loss of the ship does not involve that of the ship's company--nay,
it does not follow that the ship is to be lost, although she may be in
great difficulty, as she is at present. What fear is there for us, my
men?--the water is smooth--we have plenty of time before us--we can make
a raft and take to our boats--it never blows among these islands, and we
have land close under our lee. Let us first try what we can do with the
ship; if we fail we must then take care of ourselves."

The men caught at the idea and went to work willingly; the water-casks
were started, the pumps set going, and everything that could be spared
was thrown over to lighten the ship; but the anchor still dragged, from
the strength of the current and bad holding-ground; and Philip and
Krantz perceived that they were swept further on the bank.

Night came on before they quitted their toil, and then a fresh breeze
sprung up and created a swell, which occasioned the vessel to heat on
the hard sand; thus did they continue until the next morning. At
daylight the men resumed their labours, and the pumps were again manned
to clear the vessel of the water which had been started, but after a
time they pumped up sand. This told them that a plank had started and
that their labours were useless; the men left their work, but Philip
again encouraged them and pointed out that they could easily save
themselves, and all that they had to do was to construct a raft which
would hold provisions for them, and receive that portion of the crew who
could not be taken into the boats.

After some repose the men again set to work; the top-sails were struck,
the yards lowered down, and the raft was commenced under the lee of the
vessel, where the strong current was checked.