bound to prevent my escaping."

Henry was perplexed by this reply. In the enthusiasm of his awakened
pity he had for a moment forgotten the pirate in the penitent. Before
he could reply, however, the cutter struck violently on a rock, and an
exclamation of alarm and surprise burst from the crew, most of whom were
assembled on deck.

"Silence!" cried Gascoyne in a deep sonorous tone, that was wonderfully
different from that in which he had just been speaking to Henry; "get
out the boat. Arm yourselves and jump in. There is no time to lose."

"The cutter is hard and fast," said Henry; "if this squall does not come
on, or if it turns out to be a light one, we may get her off."

"Perhaps we may, but I have little hope of that," returned Gascoyne.
"Now, lads, are you all in the boat? Come, Henry, get in at once."

"I will remain here," said Henry.

"For what end?" said Gascoyne, in surprise.

"The cutter belongs to a friend; I do not chose to forsake her in this
off-hand manner."

"But nothing can save her, Henry."

"Perhaps not. Nevertheless, I will do what I can. She moves a little.
If she is lifted over this reef while we are on shore, she will be
carried out to sea and lost, and that must not be allowed. Leave me
here till you land the men, and then send the boat back with two of
them. We will put some of the cutter's ballast into it and try to tow
her off. It won't take half-an-hour, and that will not interfere with
your plans, I should think, for the whole night lies before us."

Seeing that he was determined, Gascoyne agreed, and left the cutter,
promising to send off the boat directly. But it took half-an-hour to
row from the _Wasp_ to the shore, and before the half of that time had
elapsed, the storm which had been impending burst over the island.

It was much more violent than had been expected. The cutter was lifted
over the reef by the first wave, and struck heavily as she slid into
deep water. Then she rushed out to sea before the gale. Henry seized
the helm and kept the little vessel right before the wind. He knew
nothing of the sea around, and the intense darkness of the night
prevented his seeing more than a dozen yards beyond the bow.

It was perhaps as well that he was kept in ignorance of what awaited
him, for he was thus spared at least the anticipation of what appeared
certain destruction. He fancied that the rock over which he had been
carried was the outer reef of the islan