, and that the sea breaking over her would
wash all hands from her decks. Desmond, however, assured the captain
that he had no such fear; even should the ship not cross the bar, she
would run far enough over it to escape the full force of the breakers,
besides which, at present they were very moderate, and were not likely
to injure her materially.

The anchor was now hove up, the fore-topsail only was set to assist in
steering her, and she was headed in towards the mouth of the harbour.
Onwards she seemed to fly towards it. Many even of the stoutest held
their breath. The boats were all waiting inside the harbour's mouth, to
render assistance should it be necessary. To a stranger on the shore
watching the approaching ship, she appeared as trim and stout a
man-of-war as need be. Nothing on deck gave indication of her rotten
condition below. Pat Casey and Peter were standing together.

"Shall we get in an' put the ould boat to rights, or shall we stick on
the bar an' see her knocked to pieces?" asked Pat of his companion.

"Me tink, Massa Pat, dat if de ship stick on de rocks him go to pieces,
and dat it better for him to do dat dan you and all hands get drowned,
'cause we den get 'shore while him break up." Similar remarks were
exchanged amongst the men generally.

"Silence, fore and aft!" sang out the captain, as the harbour's mouth
was approached. All on board turned their eyes towards the white line
of foam which stretched across it. Desmond pointed out to the helmsmen
the exact spot for which they were to steer. He had not to give another
order; no one spoke. The smooth water could be seen inside. Would the
ship ever float on it?

Full steam was put on. Forward she glided like an arrow towards its
mark. Already the outer barrier was reached where the water broke,
hissing and foaming on either side. Onward she plunged; then there came
a crash, her masts quivered, and all knew that the noble ship was
devoted to destruction. A roller came sweeping on astern. It lifted
her. Again she moved forward, but it was only to strike with greater
force than before. Once more she floated on the buoyant water, but it
was again to descend with a crash which was heard and felt from stem to
stern, telling that the rocks had gone through her bottom. There she
remained firmly fixed, her engines continuing to work until the rapidly
rising water rushing in, put out the fires. The engineer, having
thoughtfully turn