e throats of the crew. For the
moment they were safe from the threatened danger. Again the corvette
stood across the bay. The topmasts, as before, bent to the gale.

"We shall easily clear that reef," observed the master. "Well, it is a
pleasure to see a man con a ship as our fine young skipper does. These
are moments to try a man's mettle, and he has shown that he is of the
true sort."

The corvette flew across the bay, almost, it seemed, with lightning
speed, so soon was she again on the opposite side. Another critical
moment had arrived, and it was only to be hoped that the gale would not
come down with greater force than before while she was in stays, or very
likely at that moment her topmasts would be carried away. Again about
she came; this time without difficulty, and now her head pointing
seaward, she stood out from the bay, still as those on shore watched her
through the fast gathering gloom of evening, she seemed to be drawing
nearer and nearer to the reef. Now once more she looked up to the west,
then again to the north; still the masts and spars stood. Yet, after
all, she was nearer the reef than under such circumstances a seaman
would wish to find his ship.

"Mr Matson," said the commander, looking down at his first lieutenant,
"we must at once take two reefs in the topsails; but it is a risk for
the hands aloft, a fearful risk indeed," he added.

"I am ready to lead the way, sir," exclaimed a young seaman, who was no
other than Ned Davis, the commander's old companion.

"Give the orders then, Matson," said the captain.

"Aloft, there," shouted the first lieutenant. Scarcely, however, had
the men sprang into the rigging, when there was a loud crash. The
main-topmast had gone close to the cap. The straggling sail and wreck
of the spars hanging over the side.

"Clear away the wreck," cried the captain. "Not a moment to be lost.
We must save the other masts."

The men flew aloft, Ned Davis being among the first drawing out their
knives from their pockets as they did so. In a few seconds the ropes
were severed, and the mast and spar fell overboard, with the still
loudly flapping sail. At the same moment the crew throwing themselves
out on the fore-topsail yard, that sail was quickly reefed. "You must
take another reef in it, Mr Matson," said the commander, "closely reef
it, or that mast will go also." The mizen-topsail with greater ease was
closely reefed. In consequence of the ship h