t. Hour after hour wore on, and all watched anxiously. The
long sandy line was now not more than five miles distant, and the tall
cocoa-nut trees could be seen plainly.

Now and then the sun would break out and light up the scene, but hour
after hour passed on, and still the gale blew furiously, while the sea,
striking the brig's counter, poured over her fore and aft. No one
quitted the deck, but now and then the captain's steward, a Malay,
popped up his head with some inquiry from below. "Tell them we shall
soon be in smooth water," shouted Captain Weber, as towards ten o'clock
the man's face appeared through the little opening.

The brig was rapidly approaching a bold headland, which bore no name on
the map. She would pass it at a distance of not more than a mile. The
chart was nailed down on the wood-work of the cabin hatchway, and was
continually consulted by both the missionary and the captain.

"I know that headland," shouted the former, placing his mouth close to
the captain's ear. "The bay lies about five miles to the southward of
it."

Slowly the brig crept up with the nameless cape. She neared it; she was
abeam, and now it lay abaft her beam, but the land once more curved
inward, and the cliffs seemed scarped down to the sea. Seizing a
telescope, and steadying himself by the hatchway, Wyzinski looked
eagerly in the direction of land.

"There," he said, "at last," handing the instrument to the captain.
"Yonder is the bay, and there stand the two clumps of cocoa-nut trees."

Captain Weber looked long and eagerly. To the southward the land
trended seaward, a lofty headland being visible. The "Halcyon" was
embayed; for in her crippled state to weather that cape with such a gale
blowing was impossible, and to anchor with that furious sea breaking on
a lee shore would be sure destruction. Saint Augustine's Bay was their
only chance now. The crippled brig dragged slowly along.

"Now, sir," shouted Captain Weber, addressing the missionary, "come with
me. Mr Lowe, send two men to lash us in the starboard fore-shrouds;
take up your position here on the break of the quarter-deck; let the men
be stationed under the weather bulwarks. See the best bower clear."

Cautioning the men at the wheel, the captain moved forward, followed by
the missionary, under the shelter of the bulwarks. It was a task of no
small difficulty to secure the two men in the fore-shrouds, the salt
brine pouring over the whole p