harbour, or to beach the boat on the sand. Of course, you
will understand, we may run on a coral reef and be dashed to pieces, or
we may meet with the same fate against a rocky shore. We must trust to
Providence, as we have done heretofore, and not expect the worst till it
comes upon us."

"We are ready, I hope, for whatever is to happen, Mr Mudge," said
Tillard; "and we know that you will do the best that is to be done under
the circumstances."

Though it would be satisfactory to run into a snug harbour, yet I could
not help wishing that the land was farther off. We approached it with
terrible rapidity; in a few minutes, I knew, our fate must be sealed.

Mudge stood up and gazed ahead. "The sea is breaking heavily over the
encircling reef," he said; "but there is a smooth lagoon between it and
the land. If we strike the reef, though our boat may be knocked to
pieces we may be washed over into the lagoon, and those who can swim
well may reach the shore," he said quite calmly.

He was silent for a minute, and no one else spoke.

"Lads," he exclaimed at length, "I see an opening--it is a narrow one,
but we may get through it if we can hit the centre; get your oars ready,
and stand by to hoist the sail, should I tell you."

Soon after he spoke I heard the roar of the breakers borne up against
the blast, and turning round for a moment I saw that we were rapidly
approaching them.

"Hoist the sail," he cried out; "and you at the oars, give way for your
lives!"

We tore on, the foaming surges rising up on either side; the sea washed
into the boat, and half filled her, but still we flew on. I know that I
held my breath, as I should think did most of the party; but Mudge had a
firm grasp of the helm, and I saw that his countenance exhibited no
signs of dismay. Another sea struck the boat on the opposite quarter;
the next moment, when I thought we were safe, a crash was heard,--the
boat quivered from stem to stern,--we had struck the reef. A cry
escaped from several of us, for we expected the boat to sink. Another
sea came roaring towards us, completely deluging us, and washing away
everything not firmly secured; but we held tightly to the sides and
thwarts. I felt that the boat was being hurled forward.

"Pull for your lives, lads!" shouted Mudge.

Alas! only two oars remained. Those were plied lustily by Tillard, and
Harry, and I; and before we had time for much more thought the boat was
driven on the bea