her sister that the danger was past.
We could but dimly make out the low shore on the other side of the
lagoon; but what was the character of the island, or whether or not it
was inhabited, we could not tell. The wind was still blowing with great
force, the breakers dashing with terrific roars against the reef outside
of us, so that at any moment we might be driven from our anchor. We
both of us therefore intended to stay on deck during the remainder of
the night, to be ready should any accident occur. We, however, went
down to supper, for which we were very ready, as we had eaten nothing
since the commencement of the gale. Very pleasant the cabin looked
after the gloomy deck, with Mary and Fanny seated at the table, and the
swinging lamp shedding a bright light around. It was difficult to
believe that not many minutes before there was a fearful prospect of our
vessel being dashed to pieces on the rocks. We could, however, remain
below but a very short time, and had again to hurry on deck.

"I'm afraid she's dragging her anchor, sir," said Tom, who was getting a
lead line ready to ascertain whether this was the case.

The lead was dropped to the bottom, the line ran out slowly, showing
that his surmise was correct. More cable was paid out in the hope of
bringing her up. We looked anxiously astern, fearing that she might
strike on some mass of coral between us and the shore. At length, to
our great relief, the line hung up and down, showing that the anchor was
holding. The night passed slowly on. Seldom have I more anxiously
wished for the return of day.

CHAPTER THREE.

Daylight showed us that the reef, through an opening in which we had
passed, was many miles in circumference, and that it surrounded several
islands of various sizes and heights, with cocoanut, pandanus, and a few
other trees and shrubs growing on them. They were not, as we had at
first supposed, lagoon islands. Harry said that he believed them to be
the summits of the hills of a submerged island, of which the reef marked
the outer edge. We inspected the nearest through our glasses, but could
not discover any signs of inhabitants, not a hut, not a canoe on the
beach, not a wreath of smoke ascending beyond the trees. In the
distance, as if floating on the calm surface of the water, appeared,
blue and indistinct, the other islands of the group, one of the most
northern of which we had seen on the previous day. The gale had ceased,