hing. A shiver seemed to run
through the whole length of the ship.

"Breakers ahead!" yelled the lookout. "Breakers all around us!"

"I feared as much!" cried the captain. "We've struck on a reef!"

The _Eagle_ seemed to back off, probably the recoil from the blow.
The wind swirled around, and then, once more, the good ship was
driven on the rocks.

Once more she crashed upon the low-lying barrier, and this time an
ominous splintering sound followed. There was a terrific crash,
and the foremast went by the board. At the same time there was a
pounding beneath the bows of the vessel.

"There's a big hole stove in the bows, sir!" cried a sailor,
running to Captain Spark. "The water's coming in fast!"

"I'm afraid we're foundering!" added Mr. Carr.

"Stand by to lower the lifeboats!" yelled the captain. "Every man
to his place!"

With a great crash the mizzen mast went over the side, crushing one
of the lifeboats that hung on davits there.

"What has happened?" yelled Mr. Tarbill, rushing up on deck.

"The _Eagle_ is wrecked," replied the captain, speaking calmly,
though only a sailor could know what anguish the words cost him.

CHAPTER XVII

ADRIFT IN SMALL BOATS

The scene was now one of wild excitement. The sailors were working
like Trojans to launch the boats, as it could not be told when the
_Eagle_ would founder. Already she was settling in the water.

For once Mr. Tarbill seemed too stunned to know what to do. Bob
made up his mind to save a few of his own possessions if he could,
and he hurried to his berth.

"Put on a life-preserver, Bob," called the captain to him. The boy
thought of the time when this order had been given before, but not
needed. Now there was real cause for it.

"Oh, Bob! Help me!" pleaded Mr. Tarbill, who was trembling with
terror.

"I will. If there's anything valuable in your cabin, you'd better
get it out."

"Everything I have is valuable."

"Well, you can't take it all. The boat won't hold it."

"Have we got to go in small boats out on this dreadful ocean?"

"It's the only way to save our lives."

Mr. Tarbill selected some of his possessions, as did Bob, and then
the only two passengers on the ship, having donned the cork
jackets, went on deck again.

The sailors were busy putting provisions and water into the small
boats, of which, fortunately, there were enough to hold all, even
with the loss of the one the mast had smashed.

"Is there n