to say to you, my
men. The vessel is sinking, and we must put her on the reef--boats are
useless. If she hangs together, do you hang to her as your only chance.
And now farewell, my brave fellows, for we are not all likely to meet
again. Look out for a soft place for her, Mr Pearce, if you can."

"I see but one spot where there is the least chance of her being thrown
up, sir. Starboard a little--steady!--so,"--were the cool directions of
the master, as the ship flew with increased velocity to her doom. The
captain stood on the carronade slide, from which he had addressed the
men. His mien was firm and erect--not a muscle of his countenance was
observed to change or move, as the sailors watched it as the barometer
of their fate. Awed by the dreadful punishment of the mutineer, and
restrained by their long habits of discipline, they awaited their doom
in a state of intense anxiety, but in silence.

All this latter description, however, was but the event of about two
minutes--which had barely expired, when the frigate dashed upon the
reef!

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR.

Thou, God of this great vast, rebuke those surges which wash both
heaven and hell; and thou that hast upon the winds command, bind then,
in brass, having called them from the deep.

SHAKESPEARE.

The shock threw the men off their feet as they raised an appealing cry
to Heaven, which was mocked by the howling of the wind and the roar of
the waters. The masts, which were thrown out from their steps, waved
once, twice, and then fell over the sides with a crash, as an enormous
sea broke over the vessel, forcing her further on the rocks, and causing
every timber and knee in her to start from its place. The masts, as
they fell, and the sea, that at the same moment poured over like an
impetuous cataract, swept away thirty or forty of the seamen into the
boiling element under the lee. Another and another shock from the
resistless and furious waves decided the fate of the resolute captain
and master. The frigate parted amidships. The fore part of her, which
was firmly wedged on the rocks, remained. The quarter-deck and
after-part turned over to the deep water, and disappeared. An enormous
surge curled over it as it went down, and, as if disappointed at not
being able to wreak its fury upon that part of the vessel, which, by
sinking, had evaded it, it drove in revenge upon the remainder, forcing
it several yards higher upon the reef.

Two-th