ed into the cabin.

"It is a bad case, captain!" he exclaimed; "but while I have life, you
know I will stay by you. We are not far from the shore, and maybe, if
the ship goes to pieces, some plank or timber may carry us there in
safety."

Denham allowed himself to be carried on deck, where Davis secured him to
the only portion of the wreck over which the sea did not break. The
captain gazed around. The ship had struck upon the much-dreaded reef.
Huge seas came rolling in, and, dashing against her with terrific force,
had already begun to tear away her upper works, and it was evident she
could not long remain in that position without going speedily to pieces.
Many of the crew had already been washed away; others were clinging to
different parts of the wreck. Some, including the officers, were
endeavouring, not far from the captain, to form a raft, on which they
hoped to reach the shore. It appeared, however, very doubtful whether
they would succeed.

"Let us chance it, sir," said Davis; "I will haul a grating here, and
put you on it. Maybe, we shall be safely washed on shore."

"No, no, Davis," answered the captain faintly; "you remember how the
brave Dutchman behaved when his ship was sinking. As long as two planks
hold together I will stay by the frigate, or till every one has left
her. You go, my friend; you are strong and unhurt, and, God protecting
you, you may still save your own life."

"What? leave you, sir? leave you, Captain Denham?" exclaimed Davis. "I
have not sailed with you for so many years to act thus at last. We swim
or sink together. I have never feared death, and he is not now going to
make me do a cowardly act."

"Well, well, Davis, I fear there is no use urging you. Perhaps, too, we
run as little risk here as we should struggling in those boiling seas,"
said the captain.

"Right, sir; the frigate is new and strong, and maybe, she will hold
together until the gale somewhat abates," answered the boatswain. "I
wish those poor fellows would stay on board with us; it might be the
better for them."

"I would not order them to stay, Davis," answered the captain. "These
seas, if they continue long, must break up the stoutest ship, and it is
a fearful thing to have to struggle among floating timbers, washed about
round such rocks as these."

While they were speaking, many of the crew, clinging to spars and
planks, were seen drifting towards the shore. Few, however, appeared to
reach