nearly cast overboard, but he
caught the backstay as our yet unconquered boat rose from the blow like
some brave but wounded animal. The water was several inches deep about
our feet, and the good _Youth_ had lost half its buoyancy.

Then came the Captain's voice again, steady and strong, but full of
feeling--

"We'll get through it yet, lads, God protecting us," he sung out. "But
all hands must try and do their duty. You know Nelson's last general
order--`England expects that every man this day will do his duty.' That
same motto carried out has saved many a stout ship and rich cargo, and
the neglect of it has lost many more. Now, there's work for all of you.
Walter, do you rig the pump, and Bob, do you help him, and the rest of
you set to and bale. Be smart, now. There are two skids and a bucket,
or use your hats. Anyhow, the boat must be cleared."

He spoke deliberately, not to alarm us, but at the same time we all saw
that there was no time to be lost. Walter and I now got the pump to
work, while the rest set to and baled away with might and main. I also
joined them, using my hat as the Captain advised, for Walter could
easily work the pump by himself. Still, in spite of the excellent
steering of the old skipper, the seas came tumbling in over the bows and
sides also so rapidly that it was hard work for us to keep the boat
clear. Besides this, (notwithstanding her name, being an old boat), she
strained so much that the seams opened and made her leak fearfully. It
soon, indeed, became a question--and a very serious one--whether the
boat could be kept afloat till we should reach our own harbour. We were
now laying well up for the cape, though we were making what sailors call
"very bad weather of it;" but, should the wind shift a little, and come
more ahead, we might have a dead beat of several hours before us. We
saw the skipper looking out anxiously at the reef I have described. A
considerable portion, even at the highest tides, was several feet above
water, and easily accessible. As the rock also afforded a shelter to
numerous seafowl, which built their nests in its crevices, it would
afford some security to a few human beings. Still, during a gale such
as was now blowing, the sea washed tumultuously round the rock, and
rendered the landing--even on the lee side--not only difficult but
dangerous. I, for one, did not at all like the condition of the boat;
still, as the skipper had hitherto said no