oing
that. We must trust God whatever happens, Mr Haliday. Even if the
stout little ship were to be cast away, He would find a means for our
escape if He thought fit."

I overheard this conversation, and it made a strong impression on me.
For some time the fine weather continued, when it came on very thick,
with baffling winds. For three days or more we had been unable to take
an observation. The chief mate had the morning watch. Soon after I got
on deck I heard him sing out, "Keep a sharp look-out there forward!"
Then stepping aft he said to the man at the helm, "Keep the ship
north-by-west." The wind, I should say, at this time was west-by-south,
and we were going nearly nine knots through the water. The events of
that morning were vividly impressed upon my memory.

"Mr Jennings," said the first mate to me, "what is that black look in
the water ahead!"

I ran forward. The look-out man declared that it was the reflection of
a heavy black cloud hanging just over the ship.

"It is no such thing!" exclaimed the mate, sharply looking over the
gangway. "Hard up with the helm! All hands on deck! Wear ship!"

I, with the watch on deck, flew to the braces. The ship wore round, but
almost before we could touch the ropes a terrific crash was heard, and
she struck heavily aft. The following sea drove her broadside on to the
reef, part of which we now saw clearly rising out of the water not a
cable's length from us. The first crash sent the captain and other
officers rushing on deck, while cries and shrieks arose from the poor
passengers in the cabin. The next sea which struck her, after she had
touched, came flying over us, and there seemed scarcely a possibility of
our saving our lives. "Lads!" shouted the captain, "obey my orders, and
I will do my best for you. See to cutting away the masts. Clear the
rigging as the masts are cut away. Mr Jennings, clear the pinnace for
launching." Another midshipman was sent down to entreat the passengers
to remain quiet below till the boats were ready, assuring them that they
would run great risk of losing their lives if they came on deck.
Although the masts were quickly cut away, the ship continued to lurch
heavily upon the reef, and it seemed that she must quickly go to pieces.
She now lay completely on her beam ends, so that it was difficult to
stand on her deck. I had made the pinnace ready for launching, but she
was a heavy boat, and though all hands exerted the