, and some more coal brought back from
the shore.

Some time elapsed, however, before steam could be got on her. She was
riding to the wind with her stern to the shore, instead of, as before,
with her head to it. Adair and Saint Maur anxiously paced the deck,
watching the rocks under their lee. Every instant the wind was
increasing. The roar of the breakers sounded louder, while masses of
foam could be seen flying in sheets over the rocks.

At length the engineer announced that steam was got up, and the engines
being put in motion, the cable was slipped and the still sinking ship
steamed away from the only place which could afford her refuge in her
last extremity. Still, with the sea there was breaking on the shore,
she would to a certainty strike, and in all probability many of those on
deck would be washed away, while she herself would be exposed to the
full force of the waves, when ere long she would go to pieces. Adair
addressed the crew, urging them to renewed exertions at the pumps. All
day long she continued under steam, with her head to the wind, though
still making but little way. The captain saw the importance of waiting
until the spring tides, when, lightened as she was, he hoped that she
would get across the bar.

That day was one of great suspense. There was too much sea for the
boats to be got out, and should the bad weather continue, the coal on
board would be exhausted, and she, perfectly helpless, would be driven
to a distance from the land, and might be unable to regain it under
sail. Saint Maur did his best to cheer up his uncle.

"I have escaped so many dangers, when I thought that all hope was gone,
that I cannot say I feel as anxious as you do," he observed. "I have
remarked that the wind here never blows long together from one quarter.
We may have it fine and calm again to-morrow."

"I pray Heaven it may," said Adair, in a more melancholy tone than he
had yet spoken in. However, to his officers and crew he kept up the
same cheerful aspect as he had done all along.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

LORD SAINT MAUR NARRATES HIS ADVENTURES--CARRIED OFF BY THE DUTCHMAN--
ILL-TREATED--DRUNKEN SKIPPER AND MATES--RIP VAN WINKLE AND SNARLEYOW--
SHIP STRIKE, ON A REEF--CREW DESERT HER--SAINT MAUR, RIP, AND SNARLEY
GET INTO THE LONG-BOAT--SHIP GOES DOWN--REMAIN UNDER THE LEE OF THE REEF
ALL NIGHT--MAKE SAIL IN THE MORNING--NO WATER--VIRGINIA ISLAND REACHED--
BOAT CAPSIZED ON THE BAR--SAINT MAUR AN