. The chart had shown us that a reef
existed, but its form was indistinctly marked. Hitherto we had found it
running in a direct line, north and south, but it might suddenly trend
to the east, and if so, without a moment's warning, we might be upon it.
Harry, knowing this, had stationed two of the men with the sharpest
sight forward, to look out for breakers ahead, that should they be seen,
we might go about and have a chance of escaping them; but, owing to the
heavy sea rolling in, there was a great risk of the schooner missing
stays, and should she do so, our fate would be sealed: there, would be
no time to get the boats out before she would be among the breakers.
Harry now told me to go forward to assist the other men on the look-out.

"We'll not go about, if we can help it," he said. "The water is deep
close up to the reef, and a miss is as good as a mile."

Not a word was spoken; the crew were at their stations ready to execute
the orders they might receive. The increased roar of the ceaseless
breakers showed me that we were nearer than hitherto, though the vessel
was tearing along through the seas at her fastest speed, taking the
water over the bows in dense showers which often prevented me from
seeing ahead.

"Shall we never get to the end of this terrible reef?" I said to
myself. Just then I saw close on the starboard bow the snowy wall of
surf. "Luff! Luff all you can!" I shouted out, my cry being echoed by
the men. The next moment we appeared to be in the very midst of the
seething waters, which fell foaming down on our deck. I gave up all for
lost, but again the schooner dashed on and we were free. The reef was
yet, however, on our starboard side, but as I peered through the
darkness I observed a gap in the wall of foam. I ran aft to Harry. He
had seen it.

"We must venture through," he said. "Square away the fore-yard. Ease
off the main-sheet; up with the helm."

His orders were obeyed, while he hurried aft to direct Tom how to steer.
The hissing breakers rose on either hand not twenty fathoms from the
vessel; the seas roared up astern; now a huge billow lifted us, and then
down we glided into comparatively smooth water.

"Stand by to shorten sail!" shouted Harry. "Port the helm!"

"Port it is," cried Tom.

The headsails were handed, the schooner was rounded to, the anchor let
go, and she rode in safety inside the reef. Harry, with a light heart,
sprang below to assure his wife and