stood on. Presently, however, the captain seemed to think better of it,
and indifferent as he was to the lives of others, he apparently did not
wish to lose his own, and the brig into the bargain. She was
accordingly hauled to the wind, and we again stood off. It was only,
however, to heave-to, when he ordered a boat to be lowered. He then
directed the first mate to take four hands to go in her and sound the
bar. The mate expostulated, and declared that the lives of all would be
sacrificed in the attempt. "You are a coward, and are afraid,"
exclaimed the captain, stamping with rage. "Take old Tom and `Happy
Jack,' and two others," he called out their names. "No man shall justly
say I am a coward," answered the mate; "I'll go, but I'll take none but
volunteers. My death and theirs will rest on your head, Captain Pyke."

"I'll not go if the boy is sent," exclaimed old Tom; "but I am ready to
go if another man takes his place."

"Let me go, Tom," I said; "if you and the mate go I am ready to
accompany you."

"No, Jack, I'll do no such thing," answered my friend. "You stay on
board. Unless others step forward the boat won't go at all. The bar is
not in a fit state for the vessel to cross, much less an open boat."
The captain, however, seemed determined to go into the river, and now
ordered another man to go instead of me. "I'll make you pay for this
another day," he cried out, looking at me. I saw the mate shaking hands
with several on board before he stepped into the boat. "Remember the
case, Jack," said old Tom as he passed me, giving me a gripe by the
hand. "You have got the key, lad."

The boat shoved off and pulled towards the bar. I watched her very
anxiously; now she rose to the top of a roller, now she was hidden by
the following one. Every instant I expected her to disappear
altogether. I couldn't help thinking of what old Tom had said to me.
Some time passed, when the captain ordered the helm to be put up, and
the brig was headed towards the bar. He had been looking with his
glass, and declared he had seen the mate's signal to stand in. The wind
by this time had moderated. The brig was only under her topsails and
mainsail, and I began to wonder at the mate's apprehensions. We had not
stood on long when I saw the boat to the northward of us, much nearer
the breakers than we were. She seemed to be carried by beyond the
control of those in her. A strong current had caught hold of her.
Pr