It was done, and the brig's head fell off to the westward. The
main-topsail, closely reefed, was set, and we had then as much canvas as
she could stagger under. As it was, several seas swept over her deck,
carrying away portions of her bulwarks, and doing other damage; but all
hands clung on to the stanchions around the mast, and happily no one was
washed overboard. As we flew on, we could see the breakers flying high
up on our starboard bow; while ahead appeared the opening which we had
before made out. The wind, it should be understood, was on our port, or
larboard quarter, as it was then called. The topsail-yards bent with
the pressure put upon them. Should they go, the brig, deprived of her
after-sail, would be unable to weather the southern end of the reef.

On and on we flew. A few minutes would decide our fate. Huge seas came
rolling up astern, threatening to break aboard us; while, on either
hand, the white breakers rose to the height of our tops,--those on the
starboard side being so near us that it appeared even now that we should
be overwhelmed. We flew through it, however; and I heard an expression
of thankfulness escape my father as the white wall of foam appeared over
our starboard quarter. For the present we were in comparative safety;
but night was coming on, and the shore could not be far off. Once more
we hauled up to the northward; then hove-to under the lee of the reef,
hoping that the drift during the night would not carry us on shore.
Still, our position was not free from danger. The water, even under the
lee of the reef, was considerably agitated, although there was but
little risk of the seas actually breaking on board as long as we
remained afloat. The order was given to range the cable, and get ready
for anchoring, should we approach the shore.

No one turned in, for we could not tell at what moment all hands might
be required. Towards the end of the first watch, the gale began to
moderate, and our hopes of ultimately escaping rose considerably. My
father waited till midnight, and then ordered the watch just relieved to
turn in, to be ready to take their duty in the morning. It was my
morning watch; so I followed his directions, and turned in to my berth,
hoping at daylight to see the coast of Australia, which I had pictured
in glowing colours.

I was awakened by an ominous grating sound, and then by a blow which
made the vessel quiver from stem to stern. She lifted for an