your left; and
when the ship's head is as it ought to be, then drop the hand which you
have raised."

"I understand, Ready," replied Mr Seagrave; who then went forward and
directed the steering of the vessel as they neared the island. When
they were within half a mile of it, the colour of the water changed,
very much to the satisfaction of Ready, who knew that the weather-side
of the island would not be so steep as was usually the case: still it
was an agitating moment as they ran on to beach. They were now within a
cable's length, and still the ship did not ground; a little nearer, and
there was a grating at her bottom--it was the breaking off of the
coral-trees which grew below like forests under water--again she grated,
and more harshly, then struck, and then again; at last she struck
violently, as the swell lifted her further on, and then remained fast
and quiet. Ready let go the helm to ascertain the position of the ship.
He looked over the stern and around the ship, and found that she was
firmly fixed, fore and aft, upon a bed of coral rocks.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

"All's well so far, sir," said Ready to Mr Seagrave; "and now let us
return thanks to Heaven."

As they rose to their feet again, after giving thanks to the Almighty,
William came up and said, "Father, my mother was awakened by the noise
under the ship's bottom, and is frightened--will you go down to her?"

"What is the matter, my dear,--and where have you all been?" exclaimed
Mrs Seagrave, when her husband went down below. "I have been so
frightened--I was in a sound sleep, and I was awakened with such a
dreadful noise."

"Be composed, my dear," replied Mr Seagrave; "we have been in great
danger, and are now, I trust, in safety. Tell me, are you not better
for your long sleep?"

"Yes, much better--much stronger; but do tell me what has happened."

"Much took place, dearest, before you went to sleep, which was concealed
from you; but now, as I expect we shall all go on shore in a short
time--"

"Go on shore, my dear?"

"Yes, on shore. Now be calm, and hear what has happened, and how much
we have reason to be grateful to Heaven."

Mr Seagrave then entered into a detail of all that had passed. Mrs
Seagrave heard him without reply; and when he had finished, she threw
herself in his arms and wept bitterly. Mr Seagrave remained with his
wife, using all his efforts to console her, until Juno reappeared with
the children, for it was now g