ady
it had cleared the sedge, and was floating out in open water. To my
dismay, at less than a mile's distance, I descried a line of breakers!

"A side-glance was sufficient to convince me, that unless the skiff was
checked, she would drift upon these in the space of ten minutes.

"A fearful alternative now presented itself: I must either drive the dog
from the oars, or allow the skiff to be swamped among the breakers. The
latter would be certain death, the former offered a chance for life;
and, nerving myself with the palpable necessity for action, I instantly
resolved to make the attack.

"Whether the dog had read my intention in my eyes; or observed my
fingers taking a firmer clutch of my gun, I know not, but at this moment
he seemed to evince sudden fear, and, dropping down from the seat, he
ran backward to the bow, and cowered there as before.

"My first impulse was to get hold of the oars, for the roar of the
breakers already filled my ears. A better idea suggested itself
immediately after, and that was to load my gun. This was a delicate
business, but I set about it with all the caution I could command.

"I kept my eyes fixed upon the animal, and _felt_ the powder, the
wadding, and the shot, into the muzzle. I succeeded in loading one
barrel, and fixing the cap.

"As I had now something upon which I could rely, I proceeded with more
confidence, and loaded the second barrel with greater care, the dog
eyeing me all the while. Had madness not obscured his intelligence, he
would no doubt have interrupted my manipulations; as it was, he remained
still until both barrels were loaded, capped, and cocked.

"I had no time to spare; the breakers were nigh; their hoarse `sough'
warned me of their perilous proximity; a minute more, and the little
skiff would be dancing among them like a shell, or sunk for ever.

"Not a moment was to be lost, and yet I had to proceed with caution. I
dared not raise the gun to my shoulder--I dared not glance along the
barrels: the manoeuvre might rouse the dangerous brute.

"I held the piece low, slanting along my thighs. I guided the barrels
with my mind, and, feeling the direction to be true, I fired.

"I scarcely heard the report, on account of the roaring of the sea; but
I saw the dog roll over, kicking violently. I saw a livid patch over
his ribs, where the shot had entered in a clump. This would no doubt
have proved sufficient; but to make sure, I raised the gun to my