ashing through the seas
at a great rate. Just before dawn it again grew unusually dark and
thick, so that even the bright lights of the Lizard could be seen but
dimly. They served, however, to show that she was at a sufficient
distance from the shore, but that shore was a lee one, and should any
accident happen, she would be placed in great peril.

"Luff all you can," said Murray to the helmsman, for he naturally
dreaded, should the wind increase, to find himself with a rocky coast
under his lee, though he had confidence in his craft.

Day dawned, and the Cornish land appeared stretching along from north to
south, and much nearer than had been supposed. Breakers were seen
dashing over the dangerous rocks of the Manacles, close under their lee.
Just then a heavy squall struck the yacht; over she heeled, and the
water rushed half up her deck, pouring in through crevices which had
hitherto not been discovered. To keep her away was impossible. By
luffing up she ran the risk of getting into the wind. To shorten sail
would have been equally hazardous. She must stand on at all risks. The
yacht flew through the water, plunging into the seas like a being
struggling for life. Falmouth Harbour appeared directly ahead, with
Saint Anthony's light-house on the east side of the entrance. In a
short time the vessel would be safe. She shot by close to the buoy of
the Manacles. Murray knew that it was placed some distance outside the
rocks. He drew his breath when he saw it astern; still no one looking
at him would have suspected the anxiety which had weighed on his heart.

By keeping the pumps going the water did not gain sufficiently to cause
much alarm, but the _Stella_ had already more in her hold than was
pleasant, and her stores, at all events, were likely to suffer. Murray
was infinitely relieved when he was able to let go the anchor, and the
yacht rode safely in the beautiful harbour of Falmouth, among numerous
other craft, of various rig and size. The vessel once at rest, the
water was soon pumped out, and, breakfast over, Murray and Adair went on
shore to obtain a carpenter capable of thoroughly repairing the damages
the vessel had received, as also to ascertain whether she had received
any injury below water. Meantime Ben was engaged in mending the
mainsail.

The ladies did not feel disposed to go on shore. They were,
fortunately, not fully aware of the danger in which the yacht had been
placed, and had as