and perhaps even then we might be unable to find
water.

"Cheer up, cheer up!" cried Boxall. "We have thought sufficiently over
the dangers before us, now let us face them bravely." Saying this, he
led the way across the channel; Halliday and I followed, and Ben brought
up the rear. We were able to wade the whole distance, though in the
deeper part the water was up to our shoulders. We found the raft as we
had left it, for the tide, even at its height, did not reach the top of
the reef. At Boxall's suggestion, we took it apart and dragged the
pieces down to the edge of the water, so that when put together again it
might float as the tide came in. We also lashed it together more
securely and balanced it better than before, while from one of the
boards we cut out two fresh paddles; thus all hands were able to urge on
the raft. Judging as far as we were able--by throwing a piece of wood
into the water--that the current was setting to the southward, while we
wished to go round the north end of the reef, we determined to wait till
the tide slackened, which it would soon do; indeed, our raft was not yet
completely afloat. The water rising higher and higher, however, we at
last got on the raft and sat down. And while Boxall took the boat-hook
to shove off, the rest of us paddled with all our might.

"Away she goes!" cried Boxall; and we were fairly afloat.

Just at that instant Ben cried out, "A sail! a sail! away to the
north-west."

We looked in the direction indicated, and clearly made out the
top-gallant-sails and part of the royals of what was apparently a large
ship, standing almost directly towards us. Our hearts leaped with joy.
Instead of the weary paddling towards the arid coast, parched with
thirst and suffering from hunger, we might soon be safe on board ship,
with the prospect of returning to our friends and country.

"We shall easily cut her off, if we steer to the westward and make good
way," cried Ben. "But there is no time to lose, in case she should
alter her course."

"I cannot understand why she is standing in this direction," observed
Boxall. "Her commander can scarcely be aware of the existence of this
reef, or he would be giving it a wider berth."

The wind was against us, and the send of the sea drove us back almost as
much as we went ahead; so that we made but slow progress. The ship,
however, approached nearer and nearer, till we could see nearly to the
foot of her courses. When