ed
to keep up their spirits, and to make every possible effort to get off
the brig before he abandoned the attempt as hopeless. Nothing effectual
could be done till the return of high-water, however, and daylight would
enable us to see our position more clearly than at present.

As soon as "Spell O!" was cried, my father and Mudge and I took our turn
at the pumps, and worked away as energetically as any one, though we
well knew that all our efforts might be in vain. Again and again the
carpenter sounded the well, and each time reported that, notwithstanding
our exertions, the water was gaining on us. Still we laboured on, till
at length the first streaks of morning appeared in the sky. It was very
nearly high-water when we first drove on the reef; the tide had since
been falling, and for the present it would be utterly impossible to move
the ship. Our fear was that should we leave her she would fill, and the
stores and cargo be damaged.

My father now for the first time went below, and I accompanied him. We
found my mother and Edith still employed in packing up the articles they
considered would most be required on shore.

"This is a sad event, my dear wife," he said; "but we must bear it
patiently, and endeavour to do the best we can in the circumstances in
which we are placed. I am anxious to land you and Edith without delay;
and I propose to send you and the boys under the charge of Mr Mudge or
one of the mates, with a tent and as many provisions as the boat will
carry, so that should bad weather come on you will be out of danger."

"I will do as you wish," answered my mother; "but I would far rather
remain on board till you yourself think it necessary to leave the brig.
I don't like the thought of landing on a strange shore without you; and
I should be very anxious there while you are still on the wreck and
exposed to danger."

"I don't expect to incur any danger by remaining; and should it become
necessary to leave the brig in a hurry, we shall be able to do so far
more easily when you are already safe on shore," answered my father.
"However, as you wish it, you can wait a little longer. In the
meantime, the boat can be got ready; and you and those who are to
accompany you can have breakfast."

The composed way in which my father spoke considerably reassured my
mother. Having given orders to the steward to get breakfast ready, with
as much calmness as if we were still running on under easy sail in an