It almost set itself, and by Bob's careful management it was filled and
drawing without a single flap, which would at that moment have insured
its destruction.

The effect of the exhibition of this mere shred of canvas was such a
material acceleration of speed that we were no longer in any great
danger of being "pooped;" but, on the other hand, we were now rushing
with the greater impetuosity down upon the dangers which, I had too much
reason to fear, awaited us ahead.

Indeed, I had abundant confirmation of these fears within the next half-
hour, for we soon afterwards dashed past an extensive reef--over which
the sea boiled and seethed with terrific violence--at so short a
distance that, but for our slight alteration of course when the foresail
was set, we must have plunged headlong upon it. To add to my anxiety,
it still continued thick as ever, rendering it utterly impossible to see
above a cable's length, or two at the utmost, on any side of us.

So anxious did I at last become, that I was on the point of resigning
the helm to Bob, that I might go below to consult the chart, and
ascertain as nearly as I could our exact position, when suddenly,
directly ahead, appeared a wild waste of boiling foaming surf, swirling,
seething, and leaping high in the air, where it became instantly
dissipated, in the form of a dense driving mist.

I glanced wildly to port and to starboard, vainly hoping I should see
clear unbroken water on one side or the other, though we were already
too near the breakers to escape them. But far as the eye could
penetrate the dense atmosphere on either side, stretched the remorseless
breakers, and in another minute we were among them.

On first catching sight of the broken water, I had pointed to the
companion in which Ella still stood; and Bob, seeing the action, caught
my meaning in a moment, and with rather scant ceremony, thrust the poor
little girl's head below and drew the slide close over.

At the same instant I thought I detected a spot where the sea was
breaking somewhat less madly than elsewhere, and I gave the cutter a
strong sheer to starboard, that we might enter the surf at that point,
it being my opinion that there lay the deepest water.

I had no hope of escaping, but the instinct of self-preservation
asserted itself, as it always will, and prompted me to avail myself of
even the slenderest and most doubtful chance in our favour.

The cutter heeled violently down, burying he