be found to the last, till the ship should strike. There, too,
should all Christian men be found when the last final shaking of the
world takes place; there should they be when death overtakes them--doing
their duty in that station of life to which God has called them.

Still the men, as they stood, could hold communication with each other,
and it soon became known that Mr Charlton had seen an opening some way
ahead, through which he believed the ship would pass. To corroborate
the truth of this report, he and the master were seen again ascending
the rigging. The eyes of both the officers were fixed ahead, or rather
over the port-bow. All were now again silent, looking at the captain,
and ready to spring at a moment to obey the orders he might give; the
second lieutenant and Mr Martin were forward. Mr Charlton made a
signal to the captain.

"Up with the helm!--square away the yards!" he shouted.

The order was rapidly executed, and the frigate's head turned towards
the dreaded reef; but between the walls of foam an opening of clear
water was seen, amply wide to allow her to pass. Almost in an instant,
it seemed, she was flying by the danger on an even keel, the breakers
sending the spray in heavy showers over her decks. The after-sails were
furled: on she flew steadily before the gale. Night came on. There
might be other reefs ahead; but the captain and his officers and crew
had done all that men could do, and they put their trust in God, who had
already brought them safely through so many dangers, that He would
protect them.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

BEN IS SHIPWRECKED.

The gale drove the Ajax considerably out of her intended course, and it
was some time before she could again haul up to the eastward. It was
not without a providential purpose that she was driven in that
direction. Three days passed by after the gale had gone down, and just
as she had sighted a small island, said to be uninhabited, the look-out
at the masthead hailed the deck: "A sail on the lee-bow--five miles
away!" he shouted.

Several of the officers went at once aloft, to have a look at the
stranger. She was not a large vessel, that was certain; she might be
one of the slavers. She must be overhauled at all events; all sail was
accordingly made on the frigate. The stranger seemed not to have much
wind where she lay; the frigate therefore came rapidly up with her. She
was soon seen to be a schooner, and pronounced to have a Spa