re
sail on them than it would have, under other circumstances, been deemed
prudent to set, bent with the unusual pressure. Sometimes, indeed, as
Captain Denham gazed up at them, they seemed like fishing-rods, so
fearfully did they bend before the breeze. The first lieutenant and
master were also looking up at them with not less anxiety than did the
captain. "They will scarcely stand this pressure," observed the former;
"what say you, master?"

"We must keep the canvas set, at all events, and trust to Providence,"
answered the master. "This is no moment for taking in a reef. If they
go and the ship refuses to stay, we must bring up, though I fear the
little vessel will scarcely hold her own against the heavy seas which
come rolling into this bay; and, to my idea, both she, and some of us on
board, will leave our bones to rot on the strand under our lee, if it
comes to that."

"Let's hope for the best, master," answered the first lieutenant. "See
how calm our captain looks. You would never suppose that he is aware of
the danger in which we are placed."

"He knows it pretty clearly, though," observed the master. "Hold on,
good sticks, hold on," he exclaimed, looking up at the masts. "They are
tough spars, I know, and they are now giving good proof of their
quality."

Sometimes, from the direction of the vessel's head, it appeared possible
that she might weather the reef towards which she was approaching.
Then, again, she fell off, and it was evident that she must make another
tack before there was a chance of her doing so. The commander seemed of
this opinion, and was clearly unwilling to approach again as near as
before to the reef. Again he shouted, "Hands about ship!" As before,
the helm was put down, the tacks and sheets were raised, the men hauled
with a will at the braces, and the ship's head, coming up to the wind,
continued for some moments pointing west, to the open part of the bay.
Anxiously the commander watched her movements. At one time it seemed as
if she had got stern way, and he opened his mouth about to give the
order to let go the anchor and to shorten sail. Those on board knew the
order would have been followed by another, dreaded by all seamen--to cut
away the masts, the only mode of proceeding to enable the corvette to
ride out the gale. Again and again the captain looked up at the
head-sails. "She is paying off!" he exclaimed. A shout, though
immediately suppressed, burst from th